Cops in Freddie Gray Case Seek Removal of Baltimore's Top Prosecutor Marilyn Mosby

"Democracy Now!" airs weekdays at 9 a.m. PT on KCET.

As the Justice Department launches a probe of the Baltimore Police Department for a potential pattern of unconstitutional policing in the wake of the death of Freddie Gray, attorneys for the six officers indicted over Gray's death are challenging the role of Baltimore's top prosecutor, Marilyn Mosby.

On Friday, defense lawyers filed a motion demanding Mosby recuse herself because of alleged conflicts of interest and "egregious" violations. The attorneys say Mosby's judgment is compromised by her close relationship with the Gray family's attorney and her husband's job as a City Council member from the district where Gray was arrested. The motion goes on to accuse Mosby of quelling the Baltimore riots by offering cops "up to the masses" as scapegoats.

Mosby has rejected the claims and vowed to remain on the case.

"There are consistent attempts here to derail the prosecution, to undermine public confidence and at the same time to influence the people who will one day be sitting as jurors," says Douglas Colbert, professor at the University of Maryland School of Law.

Colbert joins "Democracy Now!" to discuss the case and responds to reports that Baltimore police officers are now reportedly hesitant to do their jobs.