First Trial in Freddie Gray Case Set for November: Reports

Six Baltimore Police officers charged in connection with the death of Freddie Gray will reportedly stand trial over the next six months.

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.

A judge ruled previously that the six officers involved in Gray’s detainment would have separate trials in Baltimore.

Officer William Porter, who will be called as a witness in the cases against two other officers, will go first; his trial is scheduled for Nov. 30, according to WBAL. The other officers will reportedly go to trial in 2016.

Porter’s lawyers requested the postponement at the scheduling hearing Tuesday in Baltimore City Circuit Court, where the five other officers appeared and Porter did not, WBAL reported.

Officer Caesar Goodson’s trial will be Jan. 6; Sgt. Alicia White will go to trial Jan. 25; Officer Garrett Miller, Feb. 9; Officer Edward Nero, Feb. 22; and Lt. Brian Rice, March 9, according to The Baltimore Sun.

The proceedings have attracted widespread attention, with media outlets from as far away as France attending.

After Gray’s funeral in late April, there were riots in parts of Baltimore City, drawing the National Guard to help quell the unrest.

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

The officers were 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.