Court blocks order forcing officer to testify at Gray trial

Preventing Officer William Porter from testifying “irreparably harms the government’s ability to prosecute” Officer Caesar Goodson, according to the state.

A Maryland appeals court judge ruled Friday that Baltimore police Officer William Porter doesn’t need to testify – at least for now – in the trial of Officer Caesar Goodson.

Porter’s attorneys filed court papers Thursday asking the Maryland Court of Special Appeals in Annapolis to block that ruling so that Porter can’t be forced to testify. But Porter’s attorneys had said in court documents he planned to invoke his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination if called to the stand. Now, Porter is no longer able to do so; if he does, he can be held in contempt of court and potentially jailed. Prosecutors said they would have a hearing before Porter’s retrial to show that all the evidence the state intends to introduce against Porter would be independent of his compelled testimony.

The state argued Porter should have submitted his request first to a lower court by matter of procedure.

Riots broke out in Baltimore, Maryland, on April 27, 2015, following the funeral of Freddie Gray.

In the meantime, Goodson – who drove the transport van carrying Gray – is next up.

Longtime Baltimore defense attorney Warren Brown, who is not involved in the Gray case, said Williams’ decision is extraordinary.

The order was a major victory for prosecutors. During his trial, Porter testified that he told Goodson at one stop that Gray needed medical attention, but Goodson did not seek out care. Goodson’s second-degree murder trial begins Monday.

In a highly unusual legal ruling on Wednesday, a judge compelled Porter to testify against his fellow officers in the 25-year-old man’s death.