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What was Freddie Gray's crime?

Last week saw the announcement of revised charges leveled against the officers involved Freddie Gray's death ("Six Baltimore Police officers indicted in death of Freddie Gray," May 21).

Apparently, the alleged crime began with Mr. Grey's improper use of his eyeballs to look at police. The second reason officers gave to chase him down seems to have been that he was running away. Later a knife of questionable legality within city limits was found in the young man's pocket.

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Half the six officers charged are black, which raises the question of whether skin color had anything to do with this alleged mistreatment of another human being.

There is an ancient adage: "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." It's not a saying unique to any one religion, culture or continent. It's simple human decency, even if one suspects bad behavior.

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Which of the six accused officers would have approved of having their own son or daughter, brother or husband, neighbor or colleague treated the way Mr. Gray was? I dare say none.

Every person deserves to be treated with respect —pocket knives or even "hostile looks" notwithstanding.

Edgar C. Ludwig, Baltimore

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