Prosecutors say the officers should be held accountable for Gray’s fatal injuries because they didn’t buckle him into a seat belt, nor did they call an ambulance when he indicated he needed medical attention. Gray’s family reached a $6.4 million settlement with the city, …
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Six officers were indicted on a variety of charges in relation to Gray’s death. Gray was arrested by Baltimore police on April 12, 2015 and died on April 19.
Porter is being tried on involuntary manslaughter, among other charges. He is charged with two counts of second-degree assault, two… Baltimore State’s Attorney Marilyn J. Mosby announced charges against the six officers on May 1.
Goodson faces up to 30 years in prison if convicted of the murder charge.
The delay in the trial of Baltimore police officer Caesar Goodson Jr.in connection with Gray’s death in police custody comes as Maryland’s second highest court considers an appeal from Officer William G. Porter, who is awaiting retrial after his first ended December in a hung jury.
State prosecutors have long claimed Officer Porter as a material witness in the Goodson trial, and they planned to bring him to the stand to testify in Goodson’s trial whether they obtained a hoped for conviction of Porter in his own earlier trial or whether Porter was acquitted.
They are among a total of six officers facing trial in Baltimore City Circuit Court for the death of Gray, who died of a broken neck in April after being transported in a police van.
The first officer to go to trial, William Porter, is set to face a retrial in June.
The defense’s action has double meaning: the witness they referred to in the pretrial is former Baltimore police officer and Maryland state trooper Neil Franklin.
This morning’s last minute stay was issued by Chief Judge Peter Krauser, who last Friday also issued an order halting trial Judge Barry Williams’ order that Porter be compelled to testify in Goodson’s trial.
Porter’s defense, anxious the testimony could still hurt his chances in a retrial, appealed the decision to the state.
Porter has said he will invoke his constitutional right against self-incrimination if called to testify. The request however, was “moot” considering the appeals court stay, according to the Baltimore Sun.
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Porter’s trial is postponed indefinitely, pending further proceedings, including more written filings from both sides, followed by oral arguments, Maryland courts spokesman Terri Charles said.
