MD Appeals Court Issues Opinion on Freddie Gray Testimony

The Maryland Court of Appeals filed its written opinion Friday explaining why one of the Baltimore Police officers charged in the death of Freddie Gray can be compelled to testify.

Officer William Porter, whose case ended in a mistrial in December, was ordered in March to testify at the trials of other officers charged in the case of Gray, a 25-year-old Baltimore man who died in police custody last April.

After Gray’s funeral in late April, riots erupted in parts of the city, requiring the National Guard to help restore calm.

Days later, Baltimore State's Attorney Marilyn Mosby announced charges against six officers: Officer Caesar Goodson, Porter, Sgt. Alicia White, Officer Garrett Miller, Lt. Brian Rice and Officer Edward Nero. The charges ranged from misconduct in office to murder.

The state has granted Porter immunity for his testimony in the trials of the other officers, meaning that what he says cannot be used against him.

Because he has been granted immunity at his own trial, which is set for Sept. 6, Porter will not give up any of his Fifth Amendment rights, according to the opinion from the Maryland Court of Appeals.

Read the decision from the Maryland Court of Appeals here.

• Officer Porter Must Testify in Gray Case: Court of Appeals
• Freddie Gray Case: Verdict Coming in Officer Nero Trial

Pictured, Maryland Court of Appeals. Photo Credit: Maryland State Archives.