Freddie Gray Trials: Court Dates May Be Determined Tuesday

The next step in court proceedings about the death of Freddie Gray is coming up this week.

Officials will consider trial dates for the six officers charged in connection with Gray’s death at a scheduling hearing on Tuesday, Sept. 29.

Gray, a 25-year-old Baltimore man, was arrested in mid April and died a week later from what officials said was a spinal injury in police custody.

After Gray’s funeral, there were riots in parts of Baltimore City, drawing the National Guard to help quell the unrest. Looters caused millions of dollars in damage, and the mayor instituted a mandatory citywide curfew for five nights.

Days after the riots, Baltimore State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby announced charges against six officers involved in Gray’s detainment, with offenses ranging from reckless endangerment to second-degree depraved heart murder.

A judge ruled earlier this month that the six officers would have separate trials, and the trials would be in Baltimore.

State Wants Officer Porter to Go First

Chief Deputy State’s Attorney Michael Schatzow has asked the judge to schedule the trial of Officer William Porter before the others, as Porter will be a “necessary and material witness” in its cases against two other officers, according to The Baltimore Sun.

Porter was called to the police transport van containing Gray twice on April 12, according to Baltimore State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby.

“Porter asked Mr. Gray if he needed a medic, at which time Mr. Gray indicated at least twice that he was in need of a medic,” Mosby said, reading the statement of probable cause when charges were first brought against the officers.

“Officer Porter then physically assisted Mr. Gray from the floor of the van to the bench,” she said. “However, despite Mr. Gray’s appeal for a medic, both officers [Porter and the van driver] assessed Mr. Gray’s condition and at no point did either of them restrain Mr. Gray per BPD general order nor did they render or request medical assistance.”

According to The Baltimore Sun, Porter said in his statement to police that he told the van driver Gray would not be accepted at central booking due to his condition; however, Porter reportedly told police, he was unsure whether Gray was faking his injuries because he would rather be taken to a hospital than jail.

• Demonstrators Cheer Judge’s Decision to Keep Trials in Baltimore
• Gray Family to Receive $6.4M in Wrongful Death Settlement
• Baltimore Riots: Fires, Looting, State of Emergency
• How 6 Officers Contributed to Death of Freddie Gray: State’s Attorney

A scheduling hearing to determine tentative trial dates for the officers is set for 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 29, at Baltimore City Circuit Court.

The hearing will address proceedings for the six officers indicted on the following charges:

• Officer Edward Nero, 29, was on bicycle and arrested Gray in the 1700 block of Presbury Street; Nero is charged with second-degree assault, reckless endangerment and two counts of misconduct in office.
• Officer Garrett Miller, 26, made the arrest with Nero on police bicycle; Miller is charged with second-degree assault, two counts of misconduct in office and reckless endangerment.
• Lt. Brian Rice, 41, ordered the pursuit of Gray after he made eye contact with law enforcement on North Avenue; Rice was charged with manslaughter, second-degree assault, two counts of misconduct in office and reckless endangerment.
• Sgt. Alicia White, 30, was called to investigate citizen complaints about Gray’s arrest; White was charged with manslaughter, second-degree assault, misconduct in office and reckless endangerment.
• Officer William Porter, 26, responded to the police van driver’s request for assistance to check on Gray; he is charged with manslaughter, second-degree assault, misconduct in office and reckless endangerment.
• Officer Caesar Goodson, 49, was driving the police van containing Gray; he was charged with second-degree murder, manslaughter, second-degree assault, vehicular manslaughter, criminal negligent manslaughter, misconduct in office and reckless endangerment.