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.
Full coverage: Freddie Gray trials | Charges, timeline | Key people | Timeline | Newsletter
-
Bledsoe also arguing Porter in statement described 5 times putting Gray on van bench "like an object." Only at trial did he say Gray helpedby Kevin Rector via twitter 12/14/2015 3:04:52 PM -
"Who had the motive to be deceitful? It's not Detective Teel. It's Officer Porter," Bledsoe says.by Kevin Rector via twitter 12/14/2015 3:02:53 PM
-
"The only way Officer Porter shifts the blame to someone else is to say those words didn't happen at Druid Hill," Bledsoe says.by Kevin Rector via twitter 12/14/2015 3:01:55 PM
-
You'll recall Teel testified that Porter said Gray told him he couldn't breathe at 4th stop. Porter at trial said Gray said that at 1st stopby Kevin Rector via twitter 12/14/2015 3:01:03 PM
-
Bledsoe closing for prosecution. Argues legitimacy of Detective Teel's notes from 1st phone convo w Porter.by Kevin Rector via twitter 12/14/2015 3:00:04 PM
-
Maryland's laws prohibit cameras and recording devices from court rooms
Audio or video recording or transmitting equipment are also not permitted and electronic devices including cell phones, laptops and tablets, must be turned off inside the courtroom and court overflow room. Cell phones can't be used in the lobby outside of the courtroom.
Reporters are only allowed to send updates during breaks, or if they are in a media room. -
For misconduct in office Porter must have "corruptly failed" to do his duty as officer, but w evil motive, "not merely an error in judgment"by Kevin Rector via twitter 12/14/2015 2:45:27 PM
-
For 2nd degree assault, Porter must have willfully acted with gross negligence; doesn't require that he actually touched Gray.by Kevin Rector via twitter 12/14/2015 2:43:55 PM
-
For manslaughter, Porter must have acted in a "grossly negligent manner," been aware of risk, departed from "reasonable officer" standard.by Kevin Rector via twitter 12/14/2015 2:42:37 PM
-
Judge tells jury they have to consider whether Porter's statements to police were voluntary; if not, they must "disregard" them.by Kevin Rector via twitter 12/14/2015 2:41:29 PM
-
Leave canceled for Baltimore officers
Baltimore police have canceled leave this week for officers "out of an abundance of caution," as jurors are expected to begin deliberations as early as Monday in the case against Officer William G. Porter.All sworn personnel will be assigned to 12-hour shifts, under a plan by Commissioner Kevin Davis to ensure the Police Department is adequately staffed. Read more »
-
Williams reminds jurors burden of proof rests with state, and says, "You must apply the law as I describe it."by Kevin Rector via twitter 12/14/2015 2:31:01 PM
-
He says they can change their opinion if convinced by fellow jurors in deliberations, but says "do not surrender your honest opinion."by Kevin Rector via twitter 12/14/2015 2:30:17 PM
-
Trials schedule
Officer William Porter is the first of six officers to go on trial in the Freddie Gray case. Here's the tentative schedule for those trials. -
Judge Williams has begun giving instructions to jury. "You should not be swayed by sympathy, prejudice or public opinion," he tells them.by Kevin Rector via twitter 12/14/2015 2:29:00 PM
-
Freddie Gray case explainer
baltimoresun.comSix Baltimore police officers were charged with various crimes after Freddie Gray's death on April 19. -
Trials against six Baltimore officers charged in Freddie Gray's death are not being broadcast on television. Find out why »
-
Officer William Porter's mother testified last week. Find out what she had to say about the 26-year-old Baltimore police officer. Read more »
-
About the sidewalk...
The Baltimore sheriff's office has obtained a months-long "special event" permit to keep the sidewalk clear in front of the downtown courthouse as six police officers are tried in the arrest and death of Freddie Gray — a move that has raised concerns from civil liberties advocates.
The permit from the city's Transportation Department runs through May 1, a period that covers the scheduled trials of the officers. The permit states that it is in effect from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Maj. Sabrina Tapp-Harper of the sheriff's office said the permit allows deputies to move protesters if "we deem necessary." She noted that some protests have taken place on the sidewalk during the trial of Officer William G. Porter, the first of the six to be tried.
Read more via Sun Investigates » -
A unique question this trial poses
The case against policeman William G. Porter deals with a question few juries have confronted: When is an officer's failure to act a crime? Read more » -
In closings, we'll be listening to both sides synthesize the testimony of their witnesses to argue it proves their contrasting theories.by Kevin Rector via twitter 12/14/2015 1:27:34 PM
-
The public line outside court for closings in Officer William Porter's trial today also noticeably longer than normal.by Kevin Rector via twitter 12/14/2015 1:19:56 PM
-
Not in line for the Porter trial? We'll take you to the courtroom right here: bsun.md/liveblog twitter.com/RectorSun/stat…
-
ICYMI: Here's a look at what transpired in the courtroom on Friday.
-
Noticeably longer media line today at Baltimore Circuit Court this morning for closings in Officer William Porter's trial. #FreddieGrayby Kevin Rector via twitter 12/14/2015 1:08:14 PM
-
Who are the prosecutors?
To try one of the biggest cases in Baltimore's history, the state has turned to two unconventional choices with lawyers who have more experience representing corporate and criminal defendants than prosecuting them.
Chief Deputy State's Attorney Michael Schatzow and Deputy State's Attorney Janice Bledsoe, who are presenting the case against the first of six officers charged in the arrest and death of Freddie Gray, both joined the city state's attorney's office less than a year ago.
Schatzow once prosecuted one of the largest espionage cases in American history but has spent the past three decades representing corporate clients, mostly in complex financial cases, counting Enron Corp. among his clients.
Bledsoe prosecuted police misconduct in a brief stint, but the majority of her experience has been as a criminal defense attorney. She once represented a police officer accused of raping a woman at a police station.
"They're not homicide prosecutors, but this is not your typical homicide prosecution," said David Jaros, a law professor at the University of Baltimore.
Read more of The Sun’s profile of the prosecutors »
-
Who is the judge?
Before he was the judge overseeing the Freddie Gray trials, Barry G. Williams investigated and prosecuted police misconduct cases across the country for the federal government.In Missouri, he prosecuted three officers charged with beating a high school student. In Florida, he won a conviction against an officer who pistol-whipped a teen fleeing a drug bust. He was dispatched to the Virgin Islands to prosecute — and convict — an officer there for violating the civil rights of a dozen people over a four-year period.
Douglas Molloy, a former federal prosecutor in Florida who worked on the pistol-whipping case in 2004, said Williams at that time was "basically on a tour of the eastern United States" assisting with police misconduct cases.
"His expertise in all aspects of investigating, prosecuting these kinds of cases is certainly an advantage" in the Gray case, Molloy said. "I don't know anybody better suited for this trial."
-
Also, Judge Barry G. Williams, who is presiding over the Porter trial, and his history with police misconduct cases: baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/…by Kevin Rector via twitter 12/14/2015 12:51:55 PM
-
The prosecutors baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/… and defense attorneys baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/… making closing arguments today in Off Porter's trial.by Kevin Rector via twitter 12/14/2015 12:50:14 PM
-
Officer Porter's defense attorneys are no strangers to the spotlight
baltimoresun.comFor the past two weeks, the lawyers representing Officer William Porter have escorted him into the courthouse, huddled with him at the bench and passionately argued to the jury that Porter was a good cop. -
After months of public debate, jury deliberations to begin today in Officer Porter's trial in #FreddieGray case: fw.to/0831hqVby Kevin Rector via twitter 12/14/2015 11:35:12 AM
-
The case against policeman William G. Porter deals with a question few juries have confronted: When is an officer's failure to act a crime?
Prosecutors face a difficult job proving that Porter's alleged failure to look after Freddie Gray in police custody was a criminal violation, as the standards for winning such a case are higher than in civil court, where similar cases have landed.
And the lack of precedent means fewer previous rulings to serve as a guide. So while legal experts said it's clear that police officers have a legal obligation to their prisoners, exactly what breaches of that responsibility amount to a crime remains a difficult question to answer.
David Harris, a University of Pittsburgh professor who studies policing, said American criminal laws are usually of the "thou shalt not" variety, rather than "thou shalt."
"We're pretty stingy in this country and this culture with obligating people to do stuff," Harris said.
Recent high profile cases involving police — the deaths of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Mo.; Eric Garner in New York; and Tamir Rice in Cleveland — have revolved around whether officers made the right decision to use force. Baltimore prosecutors say Gray was not the victim of a violent arrest or gunfire but of criminal negligence.
Porter's lawyers have said in court that they cannot find any other case in the country where a police officer was criminally charged for not seat-belting a prisoner. Legal experts also said it's difficult to find criminal cases against police officers accused of inaction.
Read the analysis here. -
William Porter's case is a rare kind. Jurors will have to decide next week when is failing to do something a crime baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/…by Ian Duncan via twitter 12/12/2015 6:59:23 PM -
Baltimore police preparedness
Police were roundly criticized for being unprepared when the rioting erupted in the spring. Davis took over command of the police after Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake fired then-Police Commissioner Anthony W. Batts in July.
As people were rioting and looting city pharmacies, beauty salons and retail shops on April 27, police were waiting for riot gear that was on order, according to emails the Baltimore Sun obtained earlier this year. The city ordered 1,000 pairs of "protective riot gloves," 1,000 pieces of chest, leg and arm protection items, 1,000 riot shields and 1,000 baton rings.
A manufacturer was expected to deliver 200 shields within a day, according to one of the emails.
More than 250 masks were sent to the Western District that day while another 474 more mask packs were available to be distributed, and another 1,000 had been ordered. By that evening, 17 riot bags were assembled and pepper spray canisters were ordered.
Gene Ryan, the president of Baltimore's Fraternal Order of Police union, did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the preparedness efforts.
Davis joined Rawlings-Blake on Thursday to ask residents to react "respectfully" when the verdict is reached. Attorneys for Porter rested their case Friday. It is not known how long the jury's deliberations could last.
The mayor asked the public to "respect the judicial process."
"All of us today agree the unrest of last spring is unacceptable," she said at Thursday's news conference. "Baltimore has a chance to show the country how we can be heard peacefully, respectfully and effectively." -
BPD cancels leave
Baltimore police have canceled leave next week for officers "out of an abundance of caution," as jurors are expected to begin deliberations as early as Monday in the case against Officer William G. Porter.
All sworn personnel will be assigned to 12-hour shifts, under a plan by Commissioner Kevin Davis to ensure the Police Department is adequately staffed.
Davis announced the decision to cancel leave on Friday, but he did not provide many details. Gray's death sparked widespread protesting and rioting across the city.
Police spokesman T.J. Smith said Saturday officers are expected to have all equipment necessary to be prepared for various circumstances. He would not say whether officers were expected to have riot gear on hand.
"Officers are expected to be prepared every time they come to work with their first-aid kit, gun belt, with a variety of things," Smith said. "We're not going to get into every piece of equipment they are asked to bring to work every day.
"This is not in anticipation of anything. It is out of an abundance of caution. We believe the public has an expectation for us to be prepared for anything."
Davis said Friday that leave for police "will be restored as conditions permit." -
What is to be determined?
Porter faces the following charges: involuntary manslaughter, second-degree assault, reckless endangerment and misconduct in office.
To convict Porter of manslaughter, jurors will need to find that Porter committed a "gross departure from what would be the conduct of a reasonable police officer" in a similar situation.
The maximum sentence for the most serious charge against Porter, involuntary manslaughter, is 10 years in prison. The others carry various penalties, except for misconduct in office, for which a penalty is not prescribed in Maryland law and is at the judge's discretion. -
The other cases to follow?
Attorneys for the other five officers have been watching Porter's case closely and could shift their strategies based on the jury's findings. Attorneys for all six officers and the prosecutors have been barred by a gag order from discussing the case. -
The trial:
The 12-member jury — four black women, three black men, three white women and two white men — will then begin deliberations on four charges against Porter: involuntary manslaughter, second-degree assault, reckless endangerment and misconduct in office.
The panel, all of whom indicated during jury selection that they were familiar with the case, will be given instructions on the legal meanings of the four charges — which attorneys argued about in court on Friday. They will be asked to set aside their personal feelings about the case, about the protests it kicked up and the rioting that followed, and focus solely on what was presented to them in court.
Over the course of five days, prosecutors called 16 witnesses to show that Porter, 26, was criminally negligent when he failed to secure Gray in the back of a police transport van or call for a medic when Gray asked for one, breaking with police general orders in doing so.
Porter's defense team spent three days and called 12 witnesses, including Porter, to argue that Porter did not believe Gray was seriously injured and had acted as a reasonable officer would in his treatment of Gray. -
After months of public debate about the culpability of six Baltimore police officers in the arrest and death of Freddie Gray, a dozen city residents will begin Monday deciding the fate of the first to go to trial.
The verdict they reach — if they do reach one and aren't hung — could have significant implications for the city and for the other five officers.
Attorneys for Officer William G. Porter rested their case Friday, and both sides will present closing arguments Monday. The 12-member jury — four black women, three black men, three white women and two white men — will then begin deliberations on four charges against Porter: involuntary manslaughter, second-degree assault, reckless endangerment and misconduct in office.
It is unknown how long deliberations could last. -
The @BaltimorePolice have cancelled officer leave next week. Here's full statement: http://pbs.twimg.com/media/CV-6GhFWsAAAl51.png
by Kevin Rector via twitter 12/11/2015 11:54:18 PM -
-
Mayor's office says Hopkins report on riot "confirms that no stand down order was given to police by the mayor." http://pbs.twimg.com/media/CV-VD6mVEAAwnWd.jpg
by Luke Broadwater via twitter 12/11/2015 9:15:29 PM -
From our editorial board: How will Baltimore react when the first Freddie Gray verdict comes in?
The verdict awaits
baltimoresun.comLast April, Baltimore caught fire over Freddie Gray but there was a lot more to the ensuing conflagration than the death of one man. From the anger over police brutality here and elsewhere to the desperate conditions in Baltimore's most economically-depressed neighborhoods and some poor decision-making by city leaders that at times exacerbated the problem, there was a lot of dry kindling waiting for that particular spark. -
UPDATED: Defense rests in trial of Officer Porter; closing arguments could begin Monday (w/ @justin_fenton ): baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/…by Kevin Rector via twitter retweeted by justin_fenton 12/11/2015 8:58:51 PM
-
Defense attorney Gary Proctor said "no court in the country has ever found a failure to seatbelt to be manslaughter."by Justin Fenton via twitter 12/11/2015 8:55:19 PM