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News Wrap: Suspect Injured in Custody Dies; Tornado Watch

Man Injured in Police Custody Dies

Baltimore officials are urging protesters to remain peaceful after a man died from a spinal cord injury suffered when police arrested him. Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake is calling for transparency in the investigation into Freddie Gray's death. The 25-year-old died yesterday after falling into a coma a week ago. A family attorney says he suffered a severed spinal cord.

Rawlings-Blake said that while Gray was found to have a knife on him, that was not necessarily a crime or cause for police to chase him. Police Commissioner Anthony Batts said the investigation should conclude by the end of next week.

“This is a very, very tense time for Baltimore City, and I understand the community’s frustration,” Rawlings-Blake said at a press conference. “I also want to reiterate our commitment to moving as quickly as possible to determine exactly how his death occurred.”

Protesters have gathered outside Baltimore City Hall and police headquarters demanding justice in the case, and family members want to know what happened inside the police transport van in which Gray was placed after his arrest.

“We believe the police are keeping the circumstances of Freddie’s death secret until they develop a version of events that will absolve them of all responsibility,” Baltimore attorney William Murphy said in a statement released yesterday. “However, his family and the citizens of Baltimore deserve to know the real truth; and we will not stop until we get justice for Freddie.”

Baltimore State's Attorney Marilyn Mosby is promising an independent investigation. While she says she can't discuss the details of the case, Mosby says anyone with information should contact her office.

Gray was arrested on April 12. In a press conference last week, Deputy Baltimore City Police Commissioner Jerry Rodriguez said Gray took off running when officers tried to stop him. According to a timeline released by BCPS, he was arrested one minute later and placed in a transport wagon, but police say that van was stopped to put more restraints on him. Officers say video evidence shows Gray was conscious and speaking at the time. About 30 minutes after that, paramedics were called to the Western District station to take Gray to Shock Trauma. He was later rushed to the hospital with his spine severed at his neck with three broken bones.

Most of Maryland Under Tornado Watch 

Most of Maryland is under a tornado watch. Eighteen counties and Baltimore City are under the watch until 10:00 p.m. The National Weather Service says thunderstorms may become severe with a threat of damaging wind gusts, large hail and isolated tornadoes. 

O'Malley: Democrats Need More Than One Candidate 

Former Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley continues to sound like a potential presidential candidate. In an appearance on CBS’s Face the Nation, O’Malley said he thinks his executive experience could give him an edge in a Democratic primary against Hillary Clinton, adding his decision on running won't be made until May. O'Malley said he was surprised Clinton is the only Democrat to officially declare her candidacy so far while several Republicans have already joined their party's race. 

Morgan State University Becomes Smoke-Free 

Morgan State University officials say they are stamping out smoking on their campus for students and guests. The university already has a no-smoking ban inside its buildings, and now that ban is being extended campus-wide. The new policy covers all tobacco products and E-cigarettes, hookahs, and pipes. The university says the new ban, which starts on July 1, is designed to help students kick the habit. If caught smoking on campus, officials say students will be offered counseling and classes to help them quit. 

State Police Busy Busting Impaired Drivers 

It was a busy weekend for State Police in Maryland who say troopers arrested 77 suspected impaired drivers statewide Friday through Sunday. Police say the arrests came during regular patrol duties and were not part of a statewide crackdown. Troopers also investigated more than a dozen crashes involving suspected impaired drivers, including three in which State Police and State Highway Administration vehicles were struck by drivers believed to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs. 

BWI Considering Large Expansion 

Officials at BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport are weighing a large expansion to keep up with international growth. The state has set aside $200,000 for the start of a $126 million dollar project that would add two gates to the international E concourse. That work would be in addition to a $125 million dollar project which would connect the E concourse with the domestic D concourse to create a new security checkpoint for each. Airport officials say there has been a 1.8 percent decline in domestic travel, but a 13.5 percent increase in international travel.  

Phelps Wraps Up Pro Series 

Michael Phelps wrapped up his Arena Pro Series Swim event in Mesa, Ariz., over the weekend.  The 18-time Olympic gold medalist finished third in the 200 individual medley on Saturday with a time of two minutes. Phelps followed that up with a win in the 100 free at 49.72 seconds.

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