Medical Examiner, Officer Porter Testify in Goodson Trial: Freddie Gray Case

Baltimore, MD — The third day of the murder trial for Officer Caesar Goodson, charged in the death of Freddie Gray, brought testimony from a fellow officer and the medical examiner.

Goodson is one of six officers charged in the case, and the 46-year-old was accused of the most serious offenses: second-degree depraved-heart murder, manslaughter, second-degree assault, vehicular manslaughter, criminally negligent manslaughter, misconduct in office and reckless endangerment.

Prosecutors allege Gray, 25, died as the result of a spinal injury in police custody that he got as the result of a "rough ride" in the police van that Goodson was driving.

Assistant Medical Examiner Carol Allan testified that Gray's death was "not an accident" and was a homicide caused by a neck injury, according to CNN. Allan reportedly said Gray was injured between the second and fifth stops during the van ride when the vehicle stopped or turned abruptly but also stated that it was impossible to determine exactly when the injury occurred.

On Monday, Officer William Porter, whose case ended in a mistrial in December, was called upon as a witness, according to reports. He was forced by the Maryland Court of Appeals to provide testimony in exchange for partial immunity.

Porter said that when he responded to Goodson's call for help with Gray in the police van, he asked Gray if he needed a medic and then told Goodson that the man replied that he did, the Associated Press reported. 

When prosecutors asked how the van driver responded after Porter told him that Gray needed to go to the hospital, Porter offered at least three different responses, according to The Washington Post.

• Goodson Murder Trial Kicks Off: Freddie Gray Case
• Court of Appeals: Officer Porter Must Testify in Gray Case

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.

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.

• Man Dies Week After Mysterious Arrest
• Freddie Gray Autopsy Deems Death Homicide

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.