Judge Orders Six Separate Trials for Police Officers in Death of Freddie Gray

The six police officers charged in connection with the death of Freddie Gray will have separate trials, according to Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Barry Williams.

It is ”not in the interest of justice” to try the officers together, Williams said.

The officers faced varying offenses that Williams said could be “prejudicial” to jurors who were hearing the case, which involved 25-year-old Gray, who died while in police custody April 19.

Gray was arrested April 12, and the lawfulness of the arrest as well as the police van ride he took afterward are components in the varying charges, which are as follows:

• Officer Caesar Goodson, 45: second-degree murder, involuntary manslaughter, second-degree assault, vehicular manslaughter (gross negligence), vehicular manslaughter (criminal negligence), misconduct in office
• Officer Garrett Miller, 26: two counts of second-degree assault, two counts of misconduct in office, false imprisonment
• Officer Edward Nero, 29: two counts of second-degree assault, two counts of misconduct in office, false imprisonment
• Officer William Porter, 25: involuntary manslaughter, second-degree assault, misconduct in office
• Lt. Brian Rice, 41: involuntary manslaughter, two counts of second-degree assault, two counts of misconduct in office, false imprisonment
• Sgt. Alicia White, 30: involuntary manslaughter, second-degree assault, misconduct in office

This article will be updated.

See Also:

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Judge Denies Police Officers’ Requests to Remove State’s Attorney from Freddie Gray Trial