Judge hears motion to force officer to testify in Gray case

One of the arresting officers charged in the death of Freddie Gray will be forced to testify in two upcoming trials, a judge ordered Wednesday.

Despite his pending case-Officer Garrett Miller goes to trial in July-Baltimore Circuit Court Judge Barry Williams reportedly compelled him to testify as a witness in the trials of his colleagues Lt. Brian Rice and Officer Edward Nero.

Prosecutors asked Williams to compel Miller to testify against Nero and Rice. Defense attorneys have not yet responded to the motion.

Williams granted a motion to compel the testimony of Officer William G. Porter at two other trials, prompting his attorneys to file a challenge to a higher court.

Miller, Nero and Rice were the three officers who arrested Freddie Gray in April, 2015.

Miller and Nero, who arrested Gray in the 1700 block of Presbury Street, are charged with second-degree assault, reckless endangerment and two counts of misconduct in office. Rioters damaged or looted hundreds of businesses in Baltimore in the unrest that followed Gray’s funeral last April 27, his death spurring national debate over police treatment of African-Americans. Six officers have been charged in the case. He was bundled into a transport van while shackled and died from a spinal injury a week later. The officers chased and detained Gray, and arrested him after police said they found a switchblade knife clipped to his belt. Goodson was the wagon driver. But absent a written opinion from the court explaining the order, they said it’s impossible to know if that decision is limited to Porter’s specific circumstances or could be extended to other officers’ cases, and potentially many other cases with multiple co-defendants.

Miller’s attorneys on Wednesday said they would “reserve any further argument” against Miller’s testifying until the full appellate court decision.

Special: “Baltimore Rising” takes a look at the Baltimore riots, one year later.