Baltimore police officer Edward Nero was found not guilty Monday on four charges associated with his role in the arrest and subsequent death of Freddie Gray last year.
Baltimore Circuit Judge Barry Williams acquitted Nero on charges of second-degree intentional assault, misconduct in office and reckless endangerment.
The decision arrived after a five-day bench trial. Nero was one of six officers charged in the Gray case.
Gray, 25, died April 19, 2015, after his neck broke while he was being transported in a police van in handcuffs and shackles. Prosecutors argued that Nero assault Gray by detaining him without probable cause, the Baltimore Sun reported. He was also accused of negligence for failing to buckle Gray's seat belt in the police van.
Gray's death ignited violent riots across the city resulting in the arrest of more than 200 people
Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake urged residents to be patient Monday and said that the city was "prepared to respond" should disruptions break out.
"This is our American system of justice and police officers must be afforded the same justice system as every other citizen in this city, state, and country," Rawlings-Blake said in a statement.
Officer Caesar Goodson, Jr., will be tried next beginning June 6. Goodson drove the police van that transported Gray.