Jury deadlocked in Baltimore police officer’s trial

The jury in the manslaughter trial of a Baltimore police officer charged in the death of Freddie Gray told the judge Tuesday they were deadlocked, so he sent them back for more deliberations.

They paper adds that the jury had been directed to reach a “unanimous decision” by judge Barry Williams and they were sent back to deliberate until 5:30 p.m. with plans to continue on Wednesday if they still couldn’t reach that unanimous verdict. Porter is the first to go before a jury but all of remaining officers are awaiting their day in court. Last spring, parts of the city were burned and looted as frustrations grew over the police department’s alleged mistreatment of blacks.

He did not say whether the jury was deadlocked on a single count or on all four that Porter faces from the Gray’s death.

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 trial began November 30. After a second day of discussion, the jury could not determine if William Porter was guilty of involuntary manslaughter, reckless endangerment, and assault. If convicted, he could face up to 10 years in prison.

Gray, 25, suffered a severe spinal cord injury in the back of a police van on April 12.

Dr. Carol Allan, the assistant state medical examiner, testified last week that Gray probably received his neck injury before the fourth stop, most likely at some point when the van stopped suddenly. They also requested the clerk’s list of exhibits in evidence, which the judge denied.

The motions were made by Porter’s defense attorneys based upon a letter sent Monday by Baltimore City Schools CEO Gregory Thornton to parents.

Williams said it wouldn’t be appropriate to query the jury about the letter.

The officer’s defense team contends that he should go free, and that the state has failed to meet its burden of proof that he was culpable in Gray’s death. He did not say how the jury was stymied. Namely, that what occurred in April was “not a riot but an uprising”, and stressed that protests are not simply about police brutality but in protest of poverty, poor living conditions, and the resources diverted from neighborhoods like the one where Freddie Gray grew up. Prosecutors say Porter is partially responsible for not buckling Gray into a seat belt and for not calling for an ambulance when Gray indicated he needed aid.

“With great power comes great responsibility”, Bledsoe said.

The transport van “became his casket on wheels”, Bledsoe said. He’s the first of six Baltimore officers to stand trial on charges stemming from Gray’s arrest and death from a broken neck.

“I feel like I’ve been holding my breath ever since the trial has started, just because I don’t know what the response is going to be”, she said.

Three Black men, four Black women, three White women, and two White men make up the jury for Porter’s trial.