First Baltimore Officer Heads to Trial in Freddie Gray Death

Jury selection has begun in the first trial over the death of Freddie Gray, a Baltimore man whose death in police custody set off days of protests.

The case became a lightning rod in the USA movement against police brutality.

Porter is one of six police officers charged in the death of Freddie Gray, who died of a severe spinal injury he suffered while in police custody.

Porter, 26, is charged with manslaughter, second-degree assault, misconduct in office and reckless endangerment.

Baltimore Circuit Court Judge Barry Williams conducted initial questioning in a courtroom but planned to interview at least 66 prospective jurors in a private conference room. The Baltimore Sun, relying on a source close to the investigation, has reported that Porter also told investigators that while he informed the van’s driver, he also questioned whether Gray could be faking.

“The level of publicity, media coverage, and lived-experience in the city after Freddie Gray’s death will all work together to make jury selection a long and in-depth process”, said Amy Dillard, a law professor at the University of Baltimore School of Law.

Prosecutors have said they want Porter to testify first so they can use him as a potential witness against Goodson and Sergeant Alicia White.

A small group of protesters gathered outside of the courthouse Monday morning, calling for investment in Baltimore communities and saying they stood with protesters against police violence around the nation.

William Porter, one of six Baltimore city police officers charged… Gray was handcuffed, and subsequently his legs were shackled and he was placed in the back of the van without a seatbelt, which the prosecution notes is a violation of police department policy. In a statement, activist Rev. CD Witherspoon said, “It is not enough to indict the police; we must remain vigilant in our demand that justice be done in this case and all the other cases of police terror and killings”. They chanted, “No justice, no peace, no killer police”, and “We won’t stop until killer cops are in cell blocks”. So far, all potential jurors have said they have heard about what happened to Freddie Gray.

Judge Williams told the potential jurors that he would expect opening arguments in the case to begin, “in a day or two”, and he would expect the trial to conclude no later than December 17.

Another demonstration began Monday evening, even before the court wrapped up its work for the day.

The turmoil forced an incumbent mayor to drop out of a re-election campaign and toppled the career of a reform-minded police chief who was unceremoniously fired. At the end, officers found Gray unresponsive.

Judge Williams has said he would revisit that issue if a jury can not be picked.

Defense attorneys have repeatedly asked Williams to move the trial out of the city, arguing that publicity surrounding the case and the prospect of additional city unrest could impact the jurors’ decision. Prosecutors also will have to show that a reasonable person would have tried to get Gray medical aid and that Porter failed to do so. Porter is expected to take the stand.