Freddie Gray case: 5 Baltimore officers trial put on hold

In a three page order, it has stayed the trials of Officer Edward Nero, and four other officers charged in Gray’s death, in order to determine if Officer William Porter, should be forced to testify against the other accused officers.

Nero’s trial had been scheduled to begin Monday.

Gray, a 25-year-old black resident of the city’s impoverished west side, died last April of injuries sustained while in police custody.

Porter’s legal team argues that information from his testimony could be used against him at his later trial. And Thursday’s announcement means the cases will go straight to the state’s highest court, while the trials remain on hold. On May 1, less than two weeks after Gray’s death, Baltimore State’s Attorney Marilyn J. Mosby announced charges against the six officers involved in Gray’s arrest. After the hearing, the court could take months to issue a written decision.

The Washington Post adds in their report that the court will discuss the constitutional ramifications of Officer William G. Porter testifying against Sgt. Alicia D. White and Officer Ceasar Goodson Jr.

Maryland’s highest court agreed to hear the appeals of several officers charged in connection with the death of Freddie Gray, halting all lower court proceedings for the time being, court filings showed on Thursday.

Goodson faces a second-degree murder charge, the most serious charge brought against any of the officers.

Nero’s attorney, Marc Zayon, could not comment because of a gag order in the case.

Under the unique circumstances presented by this case, the State can not accuse Officer Porter of perjury, compel him to testify against his fellow officers, and seek to retry him without violating his Fifth and Sixth Amendment rights. Porter’s retrial was scheduled for June.