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Marilyn Mosby

Baltimore City State’s Attorney Marilyn J. Mosby announces that criminal charges will be filed against Baltimore police officers in the death of Freddie Gray on May 1, 2015 in Baltimore, Maryland. Gray died in police custody after being arrested on April 12, 2015. (Andrew Burton) / Getty

In an obviously strategic, possibly desperate move, a Fraternal Order of Police lodge has asked Baltimore State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby to recuse herself from the Freddie Gray investigation because of her personal connection to the Gray family’s attorney, William H. “Billy” Murphy Jr., and her marriage to a city councilman, whose district includes the area Gray was from.

SEE ALSO: Latest Updates On Freddie Gray Case In Baltimore

A letter from Gene Ryan, president of Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 3, was released just minutes before Mosby announced formal charges against the six officers charged with Gray’s death, reports The Baltimore Sun.

Ryan requests that Mosby appoint a “Special Independent Prosecutor” and notes that while “all death is tragic,” “none of officers involved are responsible in the death of Mr. Gray.”

The Sun reports part of Ryan’s letter:

“I have very deep concerns about the many conflicts of interest presented by your office conducting an investigation in this case,” the letter states. “These conflicts include your personal and professional relations with Gray family attorney, William Murphy, and the lead prosecutor’s connections with members of the local media,” the letter states. “Based on several nationally televised interviews, these reporters are likely to be witnesses in any potential litigation regarding this incident.”

Apparently, Murphy supported Mosby during her campaign last year. He donated $5,000 to her campaign and served on her transition committee, however reports say that the Fraternal Order of Police also donated to her campaign as well.

When Mosby brought charges against six officers on Thursday, she noted that she comes from a long line of law enforcement including her mother, father and grandfather. Ironically, some activists felt that her ties to police may have unduly influenced her allegiance to the officers in the case.

The FOP letter also expresses problems with Mosby’s marriage to Baltimore City Councilman Nick Mosby, stating that “it is clear that your husband’s political future will be directly impacted, for better or worse, by the outcome of your investigation.”

However, in a statement to The Baltimore Sun, Mosby’s office noted that there is no conflict of interest—either way.

“State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby has been elected by the residents in Baltimore City to uphold the law in every neighborhood including her own, regardless of if her husband is the councilman within the district where numerous crimes occur,” said spokeswoman Rochelle Ritchie.

Read the entire letter here.

SEE ALSO: Six Officers Charged In Freddie Gray Death Released On Bond

SOURCE: The Baltimore Sun