Officer William Porter trial: Freddie Gray case live coverage
Thanks for following our coverage of the trial of William Porter. We'll resume coverage on this live blog when new developments in the case occur.
A mistrial was declared Wednesday in the trial of Baltimore Police Officer William G. Porter, after jurors told Judge Barry G. Williams they could not reach a verdict on any of the four charges. Officer Porter is one of six Baltimore Police officers charged in the arrest and death of Freddie Gray. Updates from the courthouse are from Kevin Rector, Ian Duncan and Justin Fenton, unless otherwise noted.
Full coverage: Freddie Gray trials | Charges, timeline | Key people | Timeline | Newsletter
Full coverage: Freddie Gray trials | Charges, timeline | Key people | Timeline | Newsletter
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Q: Do you have strong feelings about charges Porter faces (manslaughter, misconduct in office, etc.)?: 26 jurors stood.by Kevin Rector via twitter 11/30/2015 4:00:24 PM -
Q: You or immed fam member victim of crime, been arrested/charged/convicted, or facing pending charges? 38 jurors stood.by Kevin Rector via twitter 11/30/2015 3:59:04 PM
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Protests outside were audible in the courtroom. Could hear "What do we want?" "When do we want it" "All night, all day"by Justin Fenton via twitter 11/30/2015 3:58:19 PM -
Q: You or immediate family member law enforcement? 12 jurors stood.by Kevin Rector via twitter 11/30/2015 3:57:35 PM
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Porter, wearing gold tie, blue dress shirt and navy suit, has been taking notes along w attorneys. Has a small pile of cough drops w himby Justin Fenton via twitter 11/30/2015 3:56:47 PM
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Q: would you give "more or less weight" to testimony from cop simply bc cop? 7 jurors stood.by Kevin Rector via twitter 11/30/2015 3:56:34 PM
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Williams read off ~200 names of attorneys and witnesses in case - about 200 names, more than 100 w BPD - and asked jurors if they knew themby Kevin Rector via twitter 11/30/2015 3:54:54 PM
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Biggest responses:
-Victim of crime or charged with a crime: 38.
-"Strong feelings" abt manslaughter/police misconduct: 26by Justin Fenton via twitter 11/30/2015 3:54:46 PM -
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There's about 80 prospective jurors in the room now. When asked about police bias, pro or against, only 7 rose handsby Justin Fenton via twitter 11/30/2015 3:53:32 PM
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I've stepped out. Judge is now interviewing members of the panel who rose their hand when asked if they had conflicts.by Justin Fenton via twitter 11/30/2015 3:52:39 PM
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Williams said he "rarely" exercises his "limited" authority to excuse viable jurors, thinks it is "important" for ppl to be tried by peers.by Kevin Rector via twitter 11/30/2015 3:52:07 PM
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Williams asked potential jurors a series of questions, & to stand & give their juror # if they had response or question - but only their #.by Kevin Rector via twitter 11/30/2015 3:50:55 PM
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The judge overseeing the Freddie Gray trials has history of prosecuting police misconduct cases across the country. bsun.md/1Iq4mo8 -
Protestors have left outside #Baltimore courthouse, plan to come back about 5:30 pm http://pbs.twimg.com/media/CVEgRPBVEAA-Efq.jpg
by Alison Knezevich via twitter 11/30/2015 3:41:19 PM -
Judge Williams started proceedings, but then called recess. Waiting for potential jurors to arrive in court. Porter is present. #FreddieGray
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Demonstrators have left front of courthouse. They say they will return at 5pm. Go to @jlepolastewart for inside info http://pbs.twimg.com/media/CVEcTtiWwAA42KH.jpg
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As first trial in #FreddieGray case starts read @justin_fenton on the judge's history prosecuting police officers baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/…by Ian Duncan via twitter 11/30/2015 3:13:23 PM -
I'll be running out of overflow room to tweet updates as I can. #FreddieGrayby Kevin Rector via twitter 11/30/2015 2:42:07 PM
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Judge Williams started proceedings, but then called recess. Waiting for potential jurors to arrive in court. Porter is present. #FreddieGrayby Kevin Rector via twitter 11/30/2015 2:40:51 PM
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Now we are allowed to go in and out of overflow room.by Kevin Rector via twitter 11/30/2015 2:39:51 PM
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Protestors outside #baltimore courthouse say sheriffs office told them they took out permits for the sidewalk. http://pbs.twimg.com/media/CVEMi6hWsAEnkJ0.jpg
by Alison Knezevich via twitter 11/30/2015 2:15:08 PM -
"This is about poverty!" Says protestor outside #baltimore courthouse. #williamporter #freddiegray http://pbs.twimg.com/media/CVELvgGW4AAD2Le.jpg
by Alison Knezevich via twitter 11/30/2015 2:13:57 PM -
"Enough is enough!" says Tawanda Jones outside #baltimore courthouse. #williamporter #freddiegray http://pbs.twimg.com/media/CVELW1MWEAArzHI.jpg
by Alison Knezevich via twitter 11/30/2015 2:09:56 PM -
The search for a jury
The proceedings Monday will start with the search for a panel of city jurors who can be impartial — forgetting everything they've heard about the highly publicized case and dismissing any emotions about its impact on the city or their own neighborhoods.
Porter's attorneys have said it will be impossible to seat such a panel in Baltimore and that the trial must be moved. Prosecutors have said a fair jury can be seated, and that Baltimore residents deserve the chance to deliver justice in the case.
Judge Barry Williams has said the only way to find out is to call potential city jurors to the court and ask them during the jury selection process, known as voir dire, if they can be fair.
The process could be difficult. During jury selection in the October trial of a young man arrested during the April unrest, 21 potential jurors stood when asked if they had "strong feelings regarding the protest and the ensuing response following the death of Freddie Gray."
The process will yield a jury of 12, with as many as four alternate jurors.
Williams has said he expects to question 75 to 80 potential jurors on Monday. -
Is it possible to seat a jury in Baltimore?
Judge Barry Williams has repeatedly ruled against defense motions to move the trials of the six police officers charged in Gray's arrest and death out of Baltimore. Williams, however, left open the possibility that the trials could be moved if an impartial jury panel can't be found. From there, a jury of 12 will be selected, with as many as four alternates. -
Now told we can't leave *overflow* room, where we can't tweet etc, to go to media room to do so, except on breaks. Bc we'll interrupt..what?by Kevin Rector via twitter 11/30/2015 1:38:18 PM
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Though prosecutors consider Porter a "material witness" in later cases, no indication there's been a plea offerby Justin Fenton via twitter 11/30/2015 1:37:00 PM
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As the trials in the Freddie Gray case begin today, a lot is riding on media performance, @davidzurawik writes. bsun.md/1jto0Jtby BaltSunArts via twitter 11/30/2015 1:34:24 PM -
Baltimore City's preparations
The city is preparing for protests associated with the trial and around police-involved deaths in Chicago and Minnesota.
"We're having constant conversations and planning sessions," Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake said. "The police have set up a joint information center. We've set up protocols for surrounding jurisdictions. We're ready."
Rawlings-Blake said police are monitoring social media and talking with community leaders.
"We're vigilant," she said. "Community members certainly don't want the city to erupt in violence again. We're listening." -
There are a few protesters out here. Sheriff presence clear but noticeably absent are @BaltimorePolice which is almost certainly intentionalby Kevin Rector via twitter 11/30/2015 1:28:53 PM
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Officer William G. Porter
Porter, who is expected to take the stand, was present at multiple stops of the transport van in which Gray was injured, and prosecutors allege he should have sought medical attention. The Baltimore Sun has previously reported that, according to a police review of Porter's statement to detectives, Porter mentioned not being sure whether Gray was faking his injury. His attorneys have cited another portion of Porter's statement, in which he said he recognized Gray "from the neighborhood," and that it was "always a big scene whenever you attempted to arrest Freddie Gray."
Porter, on the city's force since 2012, is charged with manslaughter, second-degree assault, misconduct in office and reckless endangerment. He has pleaded not guilty, as have the five other officers charged in the case. -
Trial of Officer William Porter begins today with jury selection. Jurors w numbers 1 thru 1,400 have been called to reportby Justin Fenton via twitter 11/30/2015 1:23:21 PM
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There are lots of metal barricades all around the outside of the court. #FreddieGray http://pbs.twimg.com/media/CVD__QMWcAANznk.jpg
by Kevin Rector via twitter 11/30/2015 1:20:23 PM -
Sheriff's deputies forcing all photogs across street; 2 deps discussing giving TV crew 3 warnings to move van before arrest. #FreddieGrayby Kevin Rector via twitter 11/30/2015 1:18:02 PM
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The trials and the city
The proceedings, which will begin with jury selection, could have significant implications for the city and for the five other officers slated to be tried consecutively over the next several months, experts said.
The Baltimore trials have gained national prominence as activists have sought to bring attention to police brutality and to the lack of charges in other cases where young black men have been killed, including Michael Brown in Ferguson, Mo. The rioting that broke out in Baltimore following Gray's death in April from injuries sustained in police custody have heightened interest in the case.
City officers have faced charges in a range of incidents over the years, but critics have been frustrated by a lack of charges in others. -
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Here's the media line for start of the 1st #FreddieGray trial, which is noticeably longer than lines for hearings http://pbs.twimg.com/media/CVD91vxWwAA2jQW.jpg
by Kevin Rector via twitter 11/30/2015 1:10:57 PM -
What are the charges against the police officers?
Officer Caesar R. Goodson, the driver of the van used to transport Gray, is charged with second-degree depraved-heart murder, the most serious charge among the six officers. He also is charged with manslaughter, second-degree assault, two counts of vehicular manslaughter and misconduct in office.
Three officers, Officer William G. Porter, Lt. Brian W. Rice, and Sgt. Alicia D. White, face involuntary manslaughter, second-degree assault and misconduct in office charges.
Officers Edward M. Nero and Garrett E. Miller are charged with second-degree assault and misconduct in office.
All six officers have pleaded not guilty and will all be tried separately. -
How did we get to this point?
Gray, 25, was arrested on April 12 and suffered a severe spinal cord injury while in police custody. He died a week later. His funeral on April 27 was followed by citywide rioting, looting and arson. On May 1, Mosby announced criminal charges against the six officers from the stairs of the Baltimore War Memorial. Later that month, the six officers were indicted by a grand jury. -
by Sean Welsh via twitter 11/30/2015 1:06:29 PM -
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Just walked around court where 1st #FreddieGray trial starting in Baltimore. Cameras on every corner. Jury line: http://pbs.twimg.com/media/CVD8OekVAAID5uj.jpg
by Kevin Rector via twitter 11/30/2015 1:03:54 PM -
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