Freddie Gray Case: Demonstrators Cheer Decision by Judge

Cheers erupted outside the Baltimore City Circuit Courthouse after Judge Barry Williams ruled that there was insufficient evidence to move the trials for six officers out of Baltimore, where 25-year-old Freddie Gray died in police custody.

“I believe that each citizen of Baltimore has the ability to think on his or her own,” Williams said.

Ivan Bates, the attorney representing the officers, had argued that the citizens were swayed by the riots, media coverage and a civil settlement awarded to the Gray family.

Williams said the defense did not provide sufficient proof to justify a venue change.

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The Rev. Cortley “C.D.” Witherspoon, who demonstrated outside of Thursday’s hearing, said he saw the decision to keep the trials in Baltimore as promising.

“I do think it’s a step in the right direction to healing potentially and restoring and repairing a very broken and separate relationship within the community and the police department,” Witherspoon said.

Demonstrators who called for transparency and justice said they planned to attend future court dates, which could start as early as next month.

“We’ve got more work to do,” Witherspoon said. “We’ve got to push this city to [be] better.”

Capital News Service reporter Brittany Britto contributed. Photos by Elizabeth Janney.