As Murder Trial in Freddie Gray Case Nears, Court Filings Pick Up

BALTIMORE, MD – The trial for Officer Caesar Goodson is set to begin next week.

Goodson, 46, is one of six Baltimore Police officers charged in connection with the detainment of Freddie Gray, a 25-year-old who died in police custody in April 2015. Goodson faces the most serious charge: second-degree depraved-heart murder.

He’s also charged with manslaughter, second-degree assault, vehicular manslaughter, criminally negligent manslaughter, misconduct in office and reckless endangerment.

A judge will hear several pretrial motions on Monday, June 6, in Baltimore City Circuit Court. Jury selection is scheduled for Tuesday, June 7.

Goodson's Role in Gray Case

Bicycle officers arrested Gray off Presbury Street on April 12, 2015, after he allegedly made eye contact with one and ran. Goodson was driving the police transport van that picked him up.

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.

• Officer Edward Nero Found Not Guilty in Gray Case
• Man Dies Week After Mysterious Arrest
• Court of Appeals: Officer Porter Must Testify in Gray Case
• Officer in Freddie Gray Case Opts for Trial by Judge

Flurry of Court Filings

In recent weeks, Goodson's attorneys filed a series of motions outlining why the case should be dismissed.

His lawyers argued that the length of time that has elapsed since Goodson was charged is a violation of his right to a speedy trial.

Goodson's trial was originally supposed to begin in January but was delayed due to an appeal regarding whether other officers could be compelled to testify in the case, when they were also charged.

Prosecutors from the state's attorney's office responded that this was "baseless" and did not meet the criteria required for a violation to have occurred, including mention that the court offered for Goodson to face trial before Officer Edward Nero, whose case was heard last month. Goodson declined, his attorneys citing witness availability. Nero, who opted for a bench trial, was acquitted.

In court filings, Goodson's attorneys also requested that the autopsy report be removed from evidence during the trial since it was reportedly created with information from witnesses whose input would be considered hearsay.

Prosecutors said that the witness statements were "facts" that the medical examiner used in generating her report.

Other filings include whether it is admissible to enter into evidence Officer William Porter's statement that Gray told officers "I can't breathe."

A pretrial hearing is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. on Monday, June 6, at Courthouse East, 111 North Calvert Street, in Baltimore.

Jury selection will begin at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, June 7, at Clarence M. Mitchell Courthouse, 100 North Calvert Street, Courtroom 400.