Jurors deadlocked in Freddie Gray case, deliberations continue

He told them to keep working. Porter is one of six Baltimore City police officer charged in connection with the death of Freddie Gray.

Gray, 25, suffered a severe spinal cord injury in the back of a police van on April 12. His death a week later sparked demonstrations and made him a symbol of the black community’s distrust of police.

Maryland State Police stationed officers and vehicles at strategic parts of the city, but city police spokesman T.J. Smith was at pains to downplay reports of armored vehicles and officers wearing helmets and shields.

Rev. C.D. Witherspoon spoke to a group of mostly television reporters, noting that it was this kind of protesting, in his opinion, that kept this trial in Baltimore and kept Marilyn Mosby on the case, referencing the perceived victory during the motion hearings back in September. A jury began deliberations Monday afternoon in the trial of William Porter, the first of six officers to go on trial in Gray’s death.

Porter has been charged with one count of involuntary manslaughter, second-degree assault, misconduct in office, and reckless endangerment.

Deadlocks do not immediately cause mistrials, but if the jury cannot reach a unanimous verdict after continued deliberation, a mistrial could eventually be declared.

The city of Baltimore is on edge awaiting the verdict and the police department has prepared for the public’s reaction.

Prosecutors say Porter was criminally negligent for ignoring a policy requiring officers to strap prisoners in with a seat belt, and for not calling an ambulance immediately after Gray indicated he needed medical aid. The defense previously argued to move Porter’s trial out of Baltimore, saying it would be impossible to seat an impartial jury.

Gary Proctor, one of Porter’s attorneys, said in court – without the jury present – that the judge has been “very diligent” in reminding jurors not to read news accounts or seek information about the case outside of what they heard during the trial. Porter said he helped Gray sit up on a van bench, with Gray “supporting his own head”. On Monday, they were denied transcripts of radio tapes from the day of Gray’s arrest and of a recorded statement Porter provided to police investigators in the days following. “It’s got Gray’s blood on it”, she said.

“Don’t fall for that”, defense attorney Joseph Murtha countered.

“There is an absolute absence of evidence that officer Porter acted in an unreasonable manner”, he said.