Both officers were charged in the death of Freddie Gray.
Advertisement
The Maryland Court of Special Appeals, the state’s mid-level appellate court, today issued an order halting trial Judge Barry Williams’ order that Baltimore Police Officer William Porter could be compelled to testify in the trial of fellow officer Caesar Goodson despite the fact that Porter is awaiting his own re-trial. Porter’s attorneys say the ruling is a clear violation of his state and federal constitutional rights. While its immediate impact on other cases is unclear, the judge warned prosecutors that calling Porter as a witness against Goodson could make it more hard to put Porter on trial again. After Gray’s funeral in late April, riots erupted in parts of Baltimore, requiring the National Guard to help quell the unrest. Goodson’s trial is scheduled to begin next week; Porter’s trial ended in a mistrial last month, and his second trial is scheduled for June. “If the State is enjoined from calling Porter as a witness at the time of Goodson’s trial, there is no remedy”. “I find myself in uncharted territory”, Williams said, before issuing the order.
In the meantime, Goodson – who drove the transport van carrying Gray – is next up.
“Still, Williams said as long as Porter is offered immunity, “that seems satisfactory”. During his trial, Porter testified that he told Goodson at one stop that Gray needed medical attention, but Goodson did not seek out care.
The rationale reported in the Baltimore Sun is that “prosecutors needed an opportunity to respond to an injunction request from Porter’s attorney filed Thursday”. Porter is charged with involuntary manslaughter, second-degree…
Advertisement
If Porter does not testify, “he will go to jail”.
