Goodson Murder Trial Kicks Off: Freddie Gray Case

BALTIMORE, MD – Prosecutors hit a speed bump before the start of Thursday's trial for Officer Caesar Goodson, who drove the police van that 25-year-old Freddie Gray rode in before his in-custody death last year.

Judge Barry Williams reportedly scolded the state's attorney's office during a hearing Thursday morning for failing to disclose a witness interview, which was required before trial.

Williams gave the state until Monday to turn over the evidence, the withholding of which he said was "prejudicial," WBAL reported.

Prosecutors alleged that Gray died on April 19, 2015, as the result of injuries suffered in the police transport van, where he was placed after being arrested on April 12, 2015.

According to The Baltimore Sun, the state failed to disclose a meeting it had with the only other passenger in the van—Donta Allen, whose testimony will not be used because he reportedly provided inconsistent accounts of what happened, at first stating that Gray was thrashing around in the van and later saying that Gray merely banged his head.

After opening statements Thursday, prosecutors called seven witnesses, making the case that Goodson intentionally gave Gray a "rough ride" in the police van, according to WJZ.

Six officers are charged in the case, but 46-year-old Goodson was charged with the most serious offenses: second-degree depraved-heart murder, manslaughter, second-degree assault, vehicular manslaughter, criminally negligent manslaughter, misconduct in office and reckless endangerment.

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Goodson is the third officer to go to trial of the six charged in connection with Gray's detainment.

So far, the only case that has been ruled upon is that of Officer Edward Nero, who was acquitted.

Officer William Porter's case ended in a mistrial in December.

Earlier this week, Goodson waived his right to a trial by jury and instead asked Judge Barry Williams to weigh his case.

Goodson's attorneys asked that the charges be dismissed Thursday because the state withheld witness information, but the judge reportedly denied the request.

Goodson's Role in Detainment of Freddie Gray

Bicycle officers arrested Gray off Presbury Street after he reportedly made eye contact with a lieutenant and ran.

Goodson was driving the police transport van that picked up Gray.

Following a 44-minute ride around west Baltimore in the van, Gray was hospitalized. He died a week later, on April 19, 2015.

After Gray’s funeral in late April, riots erupted in parts of Baltimore City, drawing the National Guard to help quell the unrest. Within days, State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby announced charges against six officers involved in Gray’s detainment.

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In addition to Goodson, four officers are slated to stand trial in the coming months: Lt. Brian Rice on July 5, Officer Garrett Miller on July 27, Officer William Porter on Sept. 6 and Sgt. Alicia White on Oct. 13.