Protests in Baltimore Expected as Verdict Arrives in Goodson Trial

Baltimore, MD — The Maryland National Guard and law enforcement agencies across the region have reportedly been put on alert as the city of Baltimore awaits the verdict for Officer Caesar Goodson, the policeman charged with murder in the death of 25-year-old Freddie Gray.

Prosecutors allege Gray suffered a fatal spinal injury after he was arrested and placed in a police van on April 12, 2015.

Goodson was the driver of the van that transported Gray on a 44-minute ride around west Baltimore. When he arrived at the western district station, Gray was unresponsive and paramedics were called. He was hospitalized and died a week later, on April 19, 2015.

Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Barry Williams will deliver a verdict on Thursday in the case of Goodson, who faces a second-degree depraved heart murder charge, among others.

As the verdict in the Goodson trial approaches, some citizens were distributing fliers outside the courthouse urging people to protest police brutality, according to WBAL.

Demonstrations about police-community relations have been occurring since Gray was arrested, even before his death, with citizens questioning how and why he was injured.

After Gray’s funeral in late April, riots erupted in parts of Baltimore City, drawing the National Guard to help quell the unrest.

Members of the Maryland National Guard were reportedly notified this week that they may be called out on assignment for an extended period.

In addition, the Baltimore Police Department has reached out to other jurisdictions, mainly larger counties, in the event that assistance is necessary.

"We would rather have those relationships and not need them than need those relationships and not have them," Baltimore Police Commissioner Kevin Davis said on "The C4 Show" Wednesday. "I hope and I trust that that won't be necessary, but we have to be prepared."

On the radio show, the commissioner said he expected demonstrations on Thursday.

"Will there be protests? Probably," Davis said. "We'll help to facilitate peaceful protests all day long. But we won't stand for the destruction and the violence that occurred a year ago."

Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake called the looting and rioting that happened in April 2015 "shameful" and noted the city of Baltimore has a much longer history of peaceful demonstrations, The Baltimore Sun reported.

• Judge to Deliver Verdict in Officer Goodson Trial: Freddie Gray Case
• Medical Examiner, Officer Porter Testify in Goodson Trial: Freddie Gray Case
• Officer Goodson Chooses Bench Trial in Freddie Gray Case

So far, of the cases involving the six officers, the only one that has been ruled upon is that of Officer Edward Nero, who was acquitted. He also opted for a bench trial, with Williams presiding.

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

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.

Pictured, demonstrators chanted "All night, all day we will fight for Freddie Gray" outside a pretrial hearing for the six Baltimore Police officers charged in connection with the death of Freddie Gray; Sept. 10, 2015. Photo Credit: Elizabeth Janney.