Jurors in Gray case tell judge they are deadlocked

After closing arguments concluded, Judge Williams told the jurors that to return an involuntary manslaughter verdict for Porter, they must determine that the officer acted in a “grossly negligent manner” and with “reckless or wanton disregard for human life”. The judge overseeing the case told them to keep deliberating, but they went home for the night without reaching a verdict.

The majority-black jury had been deliberating for nine hours when they sent a note to Williams indicating a deadlock. Three of the six officers, including Porter, are black.

Armored vehicles and police were stationed around the city, and officials promised they were prepared for any unrest. Last spring, parts of the city were burned and looted as frustrations grew over the police department’s alleged mistreatment of blacks. “Officers have to take their own safety into consideration when they interact with detainess, Reynolds told the court during testimony on Friday”, according to the Huffington Post.

Included in their numerous notes were requests for highlighters, an easel, sticky notes, and external speakers for better sound quality to review recorded evidence.

The high profile case is the first of six trials in which police officers are accused of having caused the death of Gray. Next up is the van driver, Caesar Goodson, whose trial is set to begin next month. They face charges on counts of assault, manslaughter, false imprisonment and misconduct in office. He faces up to 25 years in prison.

Gray suffered spinal cord injuries while in the back of the van. Williams earlier on Tuesday had rejected a request by defense lawyer Gary Proctor to declare a mistrial and order a change of venue.

Proctor had cited a letter sent from the head of the city’s public schools to students, staff and parents on Monday warning that violence and walk-outs would not be tolerated after a verdict.

Tuesday is the second day of deliberations.

But two physicians testifying for the defense said Gray’s death likely happened after the fourth stop. Prosecutors say he neglected to put a seatbelt on Gray when he was arrested and didn’t call for medical help for Gray – who broke his neck while in police custody and later died. Gray was arrested about seven city blocks from the station, and yet police stopped the van repeatedly and the trip became a 45-minute journey.

The prosecution said this was a lie and that the van was Gray’s coffin on wheels.

“Don’t fall for that”, defense attorney Joseph Murtha countered. She continued by asking the jury to look closely at the evidence of the assistant medical examiner, Dr. Carrol Allan, who classified Gray’s death as a homicide.