Freddie Gray Trial Will Stay In Baltimore, Judge Says

Baltimore City Circuit judge Bary Williams ruled Thursday morning that the trials for the six officers who were involved in the case of Freddie Gray will continue to stay in Baltimore.

Williams was not in favor with the defense attorneys' pre-trial motion arguments that the six officers will not be able to receive a fair trial when done in Baltimore. The defense lawyers say that the judgment of the city's residents, as well as possible jurors, could be affected by the way the case was covered by media, the statements of attorney general Marilyn Mosby, the riots that happened after Freddie Gray died, the leaked report of the medical examiner, and the latest civil settlement of the city with Gray's family amounting to $6.4 million, according to the Baltimore Magazine.

However, according to Williams, it is not valid to immediately finalize that the possible members of the jury could be biased and screening would still be done beforehand. The trial could still be possibly moved if this process will not succeed.

"The citizens of Baltimore are not monolithic," Williams said during his ruling, according to the Baltimore Sun. "They think for themselves."

The first tentative trial for Officer William Porter would be on Oct. 13 for charges of manslaughter, assault, misconduct and reckless endangerment.

Protesters chanted outside the courthouse after the judge ruled the decision. "The trial stays here," they said again and again, according to ABC News.

The six police officers were involved in the arrest of Freddie Gray, 25, April 12 this year. Gray was said to have been transported inappropriately by the six officers. Gray passed away 10 days later because of a spinal injury, The Independent reported.

The case involves three white and three black officers, which include one woman. They are faced with second-degree depraved hear murder, assault and then misconduct, and they will all be tried separately.

Tags

Baltimore