Time will tell if a third day of deliberations will bring a change.
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Baltimore City police officer William Porter, one of six police officers charged in connection to the death of Freddie Gray, leaves Courthouse East after his trial has gone into juror deliberation, Monday, Dec. 14, 2015 in Baltimore.
Despite a deadlock, the jury for the trial of Baltimore police officer William Porter is taking a business approach for assessing his charges.
Judge Barry Williams said the jury had asked for a transcript of witness testimony, but that it was unavailable because it’s not admitted into evidence.
Jaros added that if the jury remained deadlocked, Williams could issue a so-called Allen charge, pushing them to reach a verdict.
“The jury did not elaborate on whether they are split on all or some of the charges, or which way the panel is leaning”, the Sun reports, referring to the charges of second-degree assault, manslaughter, reckless endangerment and misconduct in office that Porter faces.
“I understand that there is a need to find someone accountable, to hold someone responsible for the death of Freddie Gray”, defense attorney Joseph Murtha said.
City and police officials in the last week have asked for a “respectful” response to the verdict, but also have prepared for more unrest.
Jamiea Speller Freddie Gray’s April death sparked demonstrations and riots in Baltimore. “False evidence appears real”. His spinal cord was severely damaged and he died a week later from the injuries.
Reflecting on the Porter trial itself, Gilliam-Price said that she’s reluctant to second-guess whatever decision the jury arrives at. Gray was arrested about seven city blocks from the station, and yet police stopped the van repeatedly and the trip became a 45-minute journey. A conviction or acquittal on one of the charges would stand regardless of whether a mistrial was declared on other charges.
The judge denied renewed defense requests to declare a mistrial or try Porter outside of Baltimore. Those requests cited a letter sent by the Baltimore schools chief to pupil’s parents warning them of consequences if students protested violently in the wake of a verdict.
Williams said it wouldn’t be appropriate to query the jury about the letter.
The jury resumed deliberating for the rest of the working day on Tuesday before breaking for the night.
Prosecutors say it would have taken just two clicks for Officer William Porter to save Freddie Gray’s life: one click to buckle the shackled man into a seatbelt in the back of the police transport van; another click to call into his police radio for an ambulance after Gray said he needed a medic.
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Gilliam-Price was part of a group of protesters who in October held a sit-in and were arrested at City Hall as part of a campaign to demand police adopt a policy of de-escalation when it came to demonstrators.
