They have all pleaded not guilty.
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On Tuesday, they indicated they were deadlocked, but Circuit Judge Barry Williams told them to keep working. Porter is also black, as are two of the other five officers charged. He died from his injuries April 19.
Officers caught up to him and found a knife in his trousers. MTA said other Baltimore officials have said they may temporarily stop traffic or close lanes downtown. Justice was served when those responsible for the death of Freddie Gray were charged with crimes associated with his death; unfortunately, in this case, those charges were hard to prove based on there not being a “smoking gun” so to speak. An investigation by the prosecutor’s office in Baltimore found police had no reason to detain Gray, and his arrest itself had been illegal.
“We are hopeful that Ms. Mosby will retry Officer Porter as soon as possible, and that his next jury will reach a verdict”.
The panel had deadlocked after three days of deliberations in the trial of William Porter, the first of six officers charged in Gray’s death to stand trial. He was the first of six officers to go on trial.
Throughout the trial, the prosecution insisted that Mr Porter could have saved Gray’s life by restraining him and by calling for medical help after his injury.
(Algerina Perna/The Baltimore Sun via AP, Pool).
Gray and Porter grew up in the same West Baltimore neighborhood and were less than two months apart in age.
Asked by defense lawyer Joseph Murtha if he wanted to appear at Thursday’s hearing, a relieved-looking Porter said, “No”.
Freddie Gray’s stepfather, Richard Snipley, issued a statement and thanked the jury for their service to the public, their quest for justice, their personal sacrifices, time and effort.
“There is literally no evidence” that Porter’s actions in any way caused it, the defense argued.
Bill Murphy, an attorney for Gray’s family, gave a similar assessment to reporters. And, he said, he didn’t out Gray in a seatbelt in part because he was afraid Gray would gain access to his gun. When the van finally arrived at the police station, Gray was unresponsive. The Maryland National Guard, which patrolled the city in the days after riots broke out, has been put on standby. Her lawyer alleges she was not buckled and an officer drove “maniacally” as she was taken in, throwing her around the unpadded van. The driver, Caesar Goodson, declined to go to the hospital, instead stopping to pick up another prisoner, Porter said.
“Protesters who are lawfully assembled have a friend in the Baltimore Police Department”, Commissioner Kevin Davis said. Gray was injured after being taken into police custody and later died.
But a legal expert said he was surprised to see a mistrial declared on just the third day of deliberations. “If any of the officers get convicted, it will be a surprise to me”.
The driver, Officer Goodson is being charged with second-degree depraved-heart murder. “I think you will have the same scenario with the other trials”, Brown said.
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Porter was charged with manslaughter, assault, reckless endangerment and misconduct in Gray’s death. That case will be followed by that of Sergeant Alicia White starting on January 25, Officer Garrett Miller on February 9, Officer Edward Nero on February 22 and Lieutenant Brian Rice on March 9.
