Judge Declares Mistrial of Baltimore Cop in Freddie Gray Case
- 8 years ago
In what is a perceived legal blow for prosecutors, the jury was hung and the judge declared a mistrial in the trial of Baltimore police officer William Porter in the case of Freddie Gray's death after sustaining injuries while in custody.
Porter was charged with manslaughter, second-degree assault, reckless endangerment and misconduct in office in the April 19 death of Gray, who died a week after his neck was broken during a ride in the back of a police van.
Over the past two days, the jury of four black women, three black men, three white women and two white men gave signals that they were locked in tense discussions.
During trial arguments, prosecutors focused on what they said was Porter's failure to take care of Gray while he was in custody by not getting him medical care or buckling his seatbelt.
Chief Deputy State's Attorney Michael Schatzow said Porter, 26, "criminally neglected his duty to keep Mr. Gray safe," during arguments early in the trial.
Porter was charged with manslaughter, second-degree assault, reckless endangerment and misconduct in office in the April 19 death of Gray, who died a week after his neck was broken during a ride in the back of a police van.
Over the past two days, the jury of four black women, three black men, three white women and two white men gave signals that they were locked in tense discussions.
During trial arguments, prosecutors focused on what they said was Porter's failure to take care of Gray while he was in custody by not getting him medical care or buckling his seatbelt.
Chief Deputy State's Attorney Michael Schatzow said Porter, 26, "criminally neglected his duty to keep Mr. Gray safe," during arguments early in the trial.