An independent autopsy is being performed on the corpse of Freddie Gray, the 25-year-old black man who died with a spine injury while in the custody of the Baltimore. The autopsy could provide answers that not only the Gray family is seeking but also Baltimore residents who held protest marches in the city on Thursday.

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Five of the six cops who were suspended over the death of Gray, the latest victim of black people death in the hands of police officials, have given statements to investigators. One has yet to give his statement, according to CNN.

All five, whose identity remain protected, insist they don't know how Gray sustained injury.

A similar incident in the same city a decade ago could provide some clue for investigators. In 2005, Dondi Johnson died of fracture spine two weeks after his arrest for peeing in public. Like Gray, Johnson was transported by police van after his arrest, reports Washington Post.

Kerry Staton, the lawyer of Johnson, said he was seated alone in the van. He was handcuffed and had no seat belt to restrain him. It was in violation of a police policy that all passengers must be restrained by seat belts or other authorized restraining devices.

Baltimore Police Commissioner Anthony Batts quotes the cops being investigated as saying that the driver of the police vehicle drove carefully, did not slam the brakes or turned corners fast. "He didn't see any harm done to Freddie at all," Batts said.

But there is a mobile phone video of the initial arrest that the arresting cops were dragging Gray to the van while his legs were hanging awkwardly behind him. Harry Houck, a retired New York police detective, does not remove the possibility that the takedown injured Gray. But he noted that the cellphone video showed Gray could stand on his own before they placed him inside the vehicle.

However, the videos also showed Gray screaming in pain while being dragged.

Batts said it is a must that all those arrested should be wearing a seatbelt. However, a lawyer of one of the six cops said it could be hard or even perilous for cops to make a prisoner wear a belt, particularly if the person is like Gray who was agitated at that time. 

TagsBaltimore, anti-police sentiment, Freddie Gray