Freddie Gray Case: Lieutenant Chooses Bench Trial

Baltimore, MD — The highest ranking officer among the six police charged in connection with the death of Freddie Gray reportedly established he wants a judge to hear his case.

At a pretrial hearing on Tuesday, July 5, Lt. Brian Rice elected to have a bench trial, according to WBAL, which also reported that Judge Barry Williams ruled against dropping charges in Rice's case.

Rice, 42, is charged with manslaughter, second-degree assault, two counts of misconduct in office and reckless endangerment in connection with the death of Gray.

Prosecutors alleged Gray suffered a fatal spinal injury after he was arrested and placed in a police van on April 12, 2015, and died a week later.

Rice led the pursuit that resulted in Gray’s arrest. He made eye contact with Gray on North Avenue, then gave chase, at which point two other lower-ranking officers took off after Gray on bike, officials said.

• Freddie Gray: Arrest, Death, Trials and What’s Next
• Bmore Calls for Change After Officer Acquitted in Freddie Gray Murder
• Lieutenant Brian Rice Seeks Dismissal of Charges in Freddie Gray Case

A bench trial means a judge determines the verdict.

Two officers in recent months have been acquitted in the Gray case at the end of bench trials: Officer Edward Nero and Officer Caesar Goodson.

One policeman—Officer William Porter—had a mistrial due to a hung jury and will be retried in September.

These officers are slated to stand trial in the coming months: Officer Garrett Miller on July 27, Officer William Porter on Sept. 6 and White on Oct. 13.

Photo from Baltimore Police.