Officer Who Arrested Freddie Gray Goes to Trial

BALTIMORE, MD –The trial for Officer Edward Nero—one of six officers charged in the death of Freddie Gray—will commence next week, judicial officials say.

Although a fire forced the temporary closure of Baltimore City's circuit court last week, the Clarence M. Mitchell Courthouse is set to reopen Monday, just in time for Nero's case to begin.

Pretrial motions hearings for Nero—who reportedly lives in Bel Air—will start Tuesday, May 10.

Nero, 30, one of two officers who arrested 25-year-old Freddie Gray, is charged with second-degree assault, reckless endangerment and two counts of misconduct in office.

He is the first to stand trial in Gray's death since Officer William Porter's case ended in a mistrial in December.

According to Fox 45, Nero may seek a bench trial, meaning a judge rather than a jury would hear the case.

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Officials said Nero was patrolling an area off North Avenue on bicycle when he and a fellow officer chased Gray, who made eye contact with their lieutenant and ran from them.

Upon taking Gray into custody in the 1700 block of Presbury Street, the officers found a knife in Gray's front pants pocket, according to Baltimore City State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby.

Gray was arrested April 12, 2015, and died a week later from an injury prosecutors allege he got in a police van.

After Gray’s funeral in late April, riots erupted in parts of Baltimore, requiring the National Guard to help quell the unrest.

Days later, State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby announced charges against six officers: Officer Caesar Goodson, Porter, Sgt. Alicia White, Officer Garrett Miller, Lt. Brian Rice and Nero. They face various charges in connection with Gray's death, ranging from misconduct in office to murder.

After the jury could not reach consensus and the judge ruled a mistrial in Porter's case, additional proceedings were delayed until an appeals court ruled that Porter could be forced to testify in the trials of other officers.

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The officers are slated to stand trial on these dates:

• Officer Edward Nero—May 10
• Officer Caesar Goodson—June 6
• Lt. Brian Rice—July 5
• Officer Garrett Miller—July 27
• Officer William Porter—Sept. 6
• Sgt. Alicia White—Oct. 13

File Photo of Officer Edward Nero.