Freddie Gray suffered ‘high-energy injury’

A medical examiner found that a young black man suffered a “high-energy injury,” most likely caused when the Baltimore police van he was riding in suddenly slowed down.

A post-mortem report obtained by The Baltimore Sun newspaper says Freddie Gray’s death could not be ruled an accident and is instead a homicide because officers did not follow safety procedures “through acts of omission”.

Police arrested Mr Gray, 25, on April 12 and he died a week later, prompting protests and rioting. A grand jury indicted six officers on various charges. One officer faces the most serious charge of second-degree “depraved-heart” murder. They have pleaded not guilty.

The Baltimore Sun reported that the post-mortem found the injury, similar to those suffered in shallow-water diving, was most likely caused when the van suddenly decelerated.

A spokesman for the Maryland medical examiner and for the prosecutor’s office declined to release the report, but State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby condemned the leak.

“I want to make it very clear that the state’s attorney’s office did not release the Freddie Gray autopsy report. As I have repeatedly stated, I strongly condemn anyone with access to trial evidence who has leaked information prior to the resolution of this case,” she said.

Lawyers for the officers released a joint statement saying they had not received the report, but Ms Mosby is expected to turn it over to the defence tomorrow.