But they say the officer did not call an ambulance because Gray wasn’t exhibiting any outward signs of injury. He died of his injuries a week later.
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Allan says the initial injury to Gray’s spine would have been made worse by movement.
Baltimore Police Officer William Porter told investigators that he did not believe that Freddie Gray was really injured as the 25-year-old asked for medical attention in the back of a police van. Like Gray, he is black. The other officers face charges ranging from misconduct to second-degree murder for the van driver, Officer Caesar Goodson.
In the interview, Porter appears forthcoming and cooperative.
Prosecutors allege that Gray didn’t get the help he sought.
Allan pointed out tissue damage around the spinal column. Allan testified the injury could have been exacerbated throughout the van ride. Porter demonstrated Gray’s position in the van by putting his hands behind his back and slumping into the interview table. The officer described what followed in a videotaped statement to Baltimore Police Department internal investigators nine days later.
Another video of a second van stop in which Gray was placed in leg shackles was taken by his friend Brandon Ross. At first, he was handling crowd control.
When that didn’t work, Porter said, he realized, “Oh, s–, we need to call for a medic”. The video then shows him giving slightly different versions of what happened next.
Yeah, I need a medic.
Porter, who is one of three African-American officers charged in the case, said that at one stop, he found Gray lying on the floor of the van, asking for help to get up.
Later, Porter was asked again about what took place.
The defense has said that realities on the street cloud officers’ application of department rules. Porter said Gray was on his knees against the bench at the point. Ross broke down on the witness stand on Thursday as he said officers grabbed Gray by the wrists and ankles and “threw him into the paddy wagon…” What’s wrong with you?’ He doesn’t say anything, just ‘Help, ‘ ” Porter told the investigators. Porter called Gray’s name, but there was no response and he looked “completely passed out”. The police van had stopped because Gray was kicking, according to an autopsy report.
Porter said he didn’t call paramedics because they wouldn’t respond when officers already had a transport vehicle.
Jurors were also shown two cellphone videos of Gray’s arrest April 12 and a subsequent stop of the police van.
“I opened the door myself”, Porter said. “We need a medic”. It could be key in shaping the jury’s opinion of Porter’s actions and came on the fifth day of the trial, during which the prosecution entered the heart of its case.
Porter said when the van was opened at Druid Hill and Dolphin, Gray was on the floor with his feet by the door and his head near the front of the compartment.
Gray, who was arrested for fleeing from an officer and possessing a knife, died of a spinal injury that prosecutors have likened to what would be suffered by a diver going into a shallow pool. They have portrayed Porter as an uncaring cop who shirked his official duty. Porter said the supervisor told the officers to go to the police station and then to the hospital.
Detective Syreeta Teel began testifying for the state Thursday afternoon. Prosecutors say Porter ignored his training and department policies requiring officers to call a medic for prisoners who request one, and was criminally negligent for failing to buckle Gray into a seat belt. This, as Gray’s mother watched from the overflow courtroom. They were spared from seeing any graphic images.
The assistant medical examiner testified about Gray’s severe injuries. A break was clearly visible.
The injury also affected the muscles that assist in breathing. At first, Gray was able to breathe and talk, but eventually the muscles that helped him breathe exhausted. Keeping the neck stable is essential to keeping victims from becoming worse.
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The trial will resume Monday with more testimony by the medical examiner.
