Officer Accused Of Shooting Suspect In Groin Is Out On Bail
BALTIMORE (WJZ) --Early Thursday a judge set bail for a Baltimore City Police Officer charged with attempted murder. The judge called the allegation against him "heinous and callous" after he allegedly shot a suspect, who wasn't a threat,in the groin.
Now, Officer Wesley Cagle remains free as he awaits his trial.
WJZ Investigator Mike Hellgren has the new details in the case.
Cagle was put on routine administrative leave, then suspended following the December 2014 incident.
After bail was set, the judge ordered Cagle to get rid of any weapons. Cagle's attorney argued, he wasn't trying to kill anyone because he shot the burglary suspect Michael Johansen in the groin.
"Isn't the groin a vital area?," the judge asks, noting Cagle could have hit a femoral artery.
Prosecutors said they did not know if Cagle had prior excessive force complaints.
On Wednesday, State's Attorney Marilyn Mosby announced the charges against Cagle -- on the same day as another lawsuit was filed against the police department.
The department's latest problems come just months after riots broke out in Baltimore, following the death of 25-year-old Freddie Gray in police custody. Gray's death prompted daily protests in Baltimore and weeks of unrest.
WATCH: Shooting Victim Talks To WJZ About City Officer Charged In His Attempted Murder
Documents reveal after police had Johansen lying on the floor, Cagle aimed and fired at Johansen's groin.
"After he was shooting me, I asked him was it like a bean bag gun," said Johansen.
Johansen shares what happened next to WJZ.
"And he said, 'No. It was a .40 caliber, you piece of [expletive],'" said Johansen. "All I had on me was a cell phone and a wallet."
This incident occurred after Johansen had already been shot by two officers. Those shootings were deemed justified.
Johansen was taken to Johns Hopkins Hospital for treatment and survived his injuries.
Mosby said no gun was recovered from Johansen. The three other officers involved were cleared of any wrongdoing.
Cagle also faces charges of first and second degree assault and use of a handgun in a crime of violence.
The officer is married and the father of four children.
On Thursday, Officer Wesley Cagle's defense attorney declined to say anything about his client while leaving court. Cagle remains free while he awaits his trial.
WJZ spoke to Johansen's mother and asked whether she feels the officer should have gotten bail. She said she's scared and just wants justice to run its course.
It's unknown if Officer Cagle has any prior excessive force complaints. He has no psychiatric or substance abuse issues.
If convicted, he faces life in prison.
