The first trial for one of the year's most controversial cases ended in an equally controversial manner after a judge declared a mistrial following the jury's inability to reach a unanimous decision regarding a Baltimore police officer charged in the death of Freddie Gray.
The jury had deliberated over three days regarding the manslaughter and other charges facing the officer, William Porter, reported USA Today. On Tuesday, the jury indicated it was deadlocked and might be unable to reach a unanimous decision, but presiding judge Barry Williams told it to continue deliberations.
Porter, 26, faced second-degree assault, involuntary manslaughter, reckless endangerment and misconduct in office charges. He could have faced 25 years in prison if convicted.
Gray, 25, died in April from a severe spinal cord injury and broken neck he suffered while in police custody, reported ABC News. Porter had reportedly failed to get Gray medical help despite making several stops on the way to the police station.
His death rocked the Baltimore community prompting protests against police brutality, as well as riots and looting the likes of which the city hadn't seen since the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. in 1968.
In light of the mistrial, prosecutors now need to determine whether to put Porter on trial again, reported The Baltimore Sun. An administrative hearing has been set for Thursday to potentially schedule a new court date, however Porter doesn't need to be in attendance.
Going forward, prosecutors will need to assess their chances of securing a conviction in a second trial.
