Some spring-assisted knives are opened by pushing a thumb stud attached to the blade.
Many knives have these spring-assisted opening mechanisms but are not the automatic knives prohibited under Maryland law, said Michael Faith, marketing director for Henderson’s Sporting Goods in Hagerstown.
“An automatic knife means all you do is push a button and the blade pops out,” Faith said. “A lot of knives will have a little spring assist so when you push it open with your thumb, the knife will open up pretty much by itself.”
Police said officers chased Gray two blocks after making eye contact with him and subsequently found the knife in his pocket.
The Associated Press has made repeated requests to the police department for a physical description of the knife as well as photographs. Police later referred the request to the state’s attorney’s office.
Nero and Officer Garrett Miller are charged with misdemeanors. Four others — Sgt. Alicia White, Lt. Brian Rice and officers Caesar Goodson and William Porter — are charged with felonies ranging from manslaughter to second-degree “depraved-heart” murder.
Calls to attorneys representing Miller and Rice, who were involved in Gray’s arrest, were not immediately returned.
Mosby’s office declined to comment on a pending case, citing prosecutorial ethics.
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Associated Press writer Ben Nuckols contributed to this report.
Article Appeared @http://news.yahoo.com/officers-legal-attack-begins-freddie-gray-case-082524751.html