Judge Rules Cell Phone Videos Fair Game in Gray Case

Jurors will have the chance to inspect the Baltimore Police van that Freddie Gray rode in before his death, a judge reportedly ruled Tuesday.

Judge Barry Williams decided Tuesday what would be admissible during the the first of six trials involving police officers charged in the death of Gray.

Officer William Porter, 26, is scheduled to appear for trial on Nov. 30. He is charged with manslaughter, second-degree assault, misconduct in office and reckless endangerment for his alleged role in the detainment of Gray.

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.

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 officers involved in Gray’s detainment, ranging from reckless endangerment to second-degree murder.

Porter may be called as a witness in the cases against two other officers, according to WBAL.

Judge Williams made these rulings before Porter’s trial begins, according to reports:

• Jurors will be anonymous due to harassment concerns but will not be sequestered.
• Two cell phone videos, one of Gray’s arrest from Mount at Baker streets and another where he was shackled at Presbury Street, will be admitted into evidence, according to WBAL.
• The trial will remain in Baltimore despite article, study showing citizens distrust police, WJZ says.
• There will be no limit to the number of character witnesses who can testify on Porter’s behalf.

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