Police officer charged in Freddie Gray’s death walks free after trial ends

After a mistrial of Officer William Porter, Judge Barry Williams said there would be an administrative hearing, presumably open to the public, about the case on Thursday. The trial marks the first time an officer has been prosecuted for one of a growing list of police-involved deaths across the nation whose victims have become household names: Michael Brown, Eric Garner, Tamir Rice. But the prosecution had a tough case from the beginning, in part because the jury was asked to convict not on what Porter did – but what Porter failed to do. Murtha declined to comment.

Attorney Billy Murphy, who obtained a $6.4 million settlement for Gray’s family, called the mistrial “a temporary bump on the road to justice”. We are not at all upset with them, neither should the public be upset.

Later Wednesday afternoon, in a short news conference outside the courthouse accompanied by Murphy, their lawyer, they said they were not upset by the mistrial.

In June, a SC jury couldn’t reach a verdict in the retrial of former Eutawville Police Chief Richard Combs, who is white. “If we are calm, you should be calm too”.

David Harris, a law professor at the University of Pittsburgh with expertise in policing issues, said State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby created a false impression about the simplicity of obtaining convictions with her swift decision to charge six officers in Gray’s death. Jurors said they couldn’t reach a verdict in the case over Freddie Gray’s death.

“As much respect as I have for police, in this case Freddie is dead, and it didn’t have to be that way”, Hill-Aston said.

A legal expert says the state’s evidence against Baltimore police Officer William Porter was so strong that he should consider a plea deal. “I know that as a community we are up to the task”.

Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, Police Commissioner Kevin Davis and the attorney for Gray’s family all sounded responsible and restrained. “As a unified city, we must respect the outcome of the judicial process”. “We will get another day in court”.

Police patrols in Baltimore have been stepped up in recent days with the verdict imminent. Less than one week later, the Department of Justice began its own investigation into the practices of the Baltimore Police Department. Officers will be scheduled to work 12-hour shifts instead of the usual 10 hours. Porter told the van’s driver and a supervisor that Gray had asked for aid but none was summoned, according to testimony.

Wednesday a judge declared a mistrial in the first of six officers to be tried. Porter said Gray did not appear injured and kicked and yelled for most of the journey.

The charges carried maximum prison terms totaling 25 years.

The Porter trial was closely watched by Black Lives Matter activists across the country, yet its racial dynamics are complex. He has pleaded not guilty to all the charges, as have the other five officers charged in connection to Gray’s death. “How long does it take?”

Officer Edward M. Nero is charged with one count of second-degree assault, two counts of misconduct in office and one count of reckless endangerment. “That’s all it would have taken”. He was put in a transport van, shackled and handcuffed, but was not secured by a seat belt, in violation of department policy.

Another question is whether Porter is offered immunity to testify in the trials of the five other officers.