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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Outside law enforcement agencies staging in Baltimore ahead of verdict in Officer Porter's trial: baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/…by Kevin Rector via twitter 12/15/2015 7:11:01 PM -
Some youth, community leaders plan to keep peace at Penn North after the verdict in Officer Porter case. fw.to/wkcC3liby Justin Fenton via twitter 12/15/2015 7:06:15 PM -
To be clear for commenters: BPD not apologizing for getting prepared, but donning gear now went against their attempts to do so discreetly.by Kevin Rector via twitter 12/15/2015 7:03:20 PM
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City Councilman Brandon Scott, a co-founder of 300 Men March, said some 60 members of the group "have been on standby since April" in case of further unrest.Read more »"Just like in April they'll do whatever is necessary to help keep the peace and help do whatever is needed to do," Scott said. "I expect people in Baltimore to act as a majority of them did in April and not cause any trouble, but you have to be prepared because you never truly know how someone else is going to act." -
Some plan to keep the peace at Penn North after verdict in Freddie Gray caseThe pastor of an East Baltimore church said Tuesday that "a few hundred" people will go to the intersection of Pennsylvania and North avenues to keep peace after the verdict in the trial of the first officer charged in the death of Freddie Gray is announced.Bishop Angel L. Nunez of Bilingual Christian Church on Erdman Avenue said he helped organize clergy, business leaders, police officers, community activists and gang leaders to come to the intersection that saw the height of rioting and arson after Gray's death in April."We are embracing arm to arm and our purpose is to show unity and embracing our city in love instead of violence," Nunez said. "My position is protest, but keep the peace."In the midst of the rioting in April, anti-violence group the 300 Men March linked arms to form a human buffer between police and protesters at Pennsylvania and North avenues.
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Congressman on Baltimore amid Porter trial: 'We will all be on trial in the days and weeks ahead'In a bid to avert the kind of social unrest that took place after the April death of Freddie Gray, Congressman Elijah E. Cummings on Tuesday called for Baltimoreans to remain calm and show respect for the verdict in the trial of Officer William G. Porter, whatever it turns out to be.However one feels about the outcome, it will have been reached as the end result of due process, Cummings said."The verdict will have as much legitimacy as our society can provide," Cummings said."We, who struggle for greater justice in our society, must be prepared to do justice as well … We must be just whether we agree or disagree with a jury's verdict in a single criminal trial," he added.Cummings made the remarks at a press conference in his Baltimore office as the jury deliberated for a second day in the trial of Porter.Read more »The Congressman also urged community leaders to make sure residents see the Porter trial within a larger framework — one in which, he said, the justice system sometimes fails to deal with cases such as Gray's at all."In so many other cities, African-American men are shot down and killed — unarmed men, in many instances — and nothing happens. As a matter of fact, that has become the norm," Cummings said.The justice system may be imperfect, he added, but it's designed to be fair — and, "It's the only one we have."
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Police stage at Druid Hill Park Tuesday afternoon as the jury deliberates in the first trial of the six officers charged in the arrest and death of Freddie Gray. -- Natalie Sherman, Baltimore Sunby Kalani Gordon
Police stage at Druid Hill Park Tuesday afternoon as the jury deliberates in the first trial of the six officers charged in the arrest and death of Freddie Gray. -- Natalie Sherman, Baltimore Sunby Kalani Gordon1 of 2
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"These assisting agencies and that equipment is only used if absolutely necessary. It's not part of normal police response to things."by Kevin Rector via twitter 12/15/2015 6:15:00 PM
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"We certainly dont want that visual to look like we're expecting something, because we aren't" Had hoped to keep staging discreet, spox saysby Kevin Rector via twitter 12/15/2015 6:03:14 PM
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BPD acknowledge officers from other jurisdictions in city, in staging capacity. If donning protec equip, not bc of specific need at moment.by Kevin Rector via twitter 12/15/2015 6:01:34 PM
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Anne Arundel County police in #Baltimore with riot gear now :: #ripfreddiegray :: #imagelogger :: #DVNLLN http://pbs.twimg.com/media/CWSJ01AWwAATSY7.jpg
by MooLo_Lo via twitter retweeted by justin_fenton 12/15/2015 5:44:34 PM -
As of now, Baltimore, Harford and Howard counties have canceled field trips to Baltimore this week.by Sean Welsh via twitter 12/15/2015 5:24:35 PM -
Maryland Governor Hogan: 'crime is out of control in Baltimore City'
Republican Gov. Larry Hogan on Tuesday said the escalating murder rate in Baltimore was "disgraceful," and asked why Freddie Gray protesters were not objecting to violence in the streets.
"Crime is out of control in Baltimore City," Hogan said during a radio interview. "I've expressed my concern that we have a lot of people out there, expressing their concern, their frustration over the tragic death of Freddie Gray. But where is the uproar from the community? Where are the people protesting the 330 people murdered?"
Hogan's comments on WBAL's C4 show came at the same time a Baltimore jury was in deliberations for for the first of six police officers charged in Gray's death. Gray's spine was partially severed during a ride in police van in April. His death touched off more than a week of protests and a day of rioting.
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The Sandtown-Winchester/Harlem Park* neighborhoods, thrust into the national spotlight over the death of Freddie Gray, have long been home to some of the worst living conditions in Baltimore. -
What do do when the Judge says 'no' to juror sketching? @USk_Pekalongan @sketchbookmag @ByLynhBui @miguelmarquez http://pbs.twimg.com/media/CWR8JOEWcAAH3ky.jpg
by newsillustrator via twitter 12/15/2015 5:01:41 PM -
This is the complete gallery of Freddie Gray trial sketches. bit.ly/1J9pxLz You are welcome. @baltimoresun http://pbs.twimg.com/media/CWR9xUOWEAEFTVd.jpg
by newsillustrator via twitter 12/15/2015 5:01:38 PM -
As Baltimore braces for more Freddie Gray protests, Hogan questions why no "uproar" over escalating murder rate. fw.to/g69HEPP -
Univ. of Baltimore president Kurt Schmoke advised students to avoid unrest after a verdict in Porter trial
University of Baltimore President Kurt L. Schmoke sent a message Monday urging students "to be aware of the circumstances in which you find yourself" if protests begin after the verdict in the trial of one of the officers charged in Freddie Gray's death.
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More on @BaltCitySchools letter that sparked motion here baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/… Also now UB is getting into the mix baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/…by Kevin Rector via twitter 12/15/2015 4:13:27 PM
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Whether defense thought judge would grant mistrial motion today may be besides the point. baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/… http://pbs.twimg.com/media/CWR1NISWUAQZZ66.png
by Kevin Rector via twitter 12/15/2015 4:03:33 PM -
Baltimore City Schools CEO Gregory Thornton letter was submitted as evidence by the defense. bsun.md/1QJwA3Lby Kalani via twitter 12/15/2015 4:00:51 PM -
Judge in Officer Porter trial denies motion for mistrial, change of venue over @BaltCitySchools letter: baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/… #FreddieGrayby Kevin Rector via twitter 12/15/2015 3:41:27 PM
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Jury just asked for computer speakers. Yesterday they were denied transcripts of KGA tape and Porter statement. Must be struggling to hear.by Kevin Rector via twitter 12/15/2015 3:23:05 PM
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A letter from Baltimore Police Commissioner Kevin Davis
Davis sent a letter Monday encouraging the department's roughly 3,000 sworn officers to "fervently resist the low expectations some have of the Baltimore Police Department."
Davis' letter was released by the department Monday night. "We will serve as peace keepers for those wishing to exercise their right to protest," Davis wrote. "We will allow the lawful assembly of those gathered to question the government. We will protect homes, businesses, residents, and police officers from harm and mayhem."
Read more about the city's preparations » -
City prepares for possible protests: Baltimore police
Baltimore police spokesman T.J. Smith said Monday that police reinforcements already have been sent from surrounding jurisdictions to help the city, in accordance with mutual aid agreements. He would not say how many officers or which agencies had sent them, but added that they were being staged at an off-site location, "not out patrolling the streets," and would be called in only as a last resort.
"The citizens of Baltimore have an expectation for us to be prepared and not be reactive," he said.
The Police Department also activated the Joint Information Center for various community representatives to gather, including those from the tourism industry, the school system, churches and hospitals.
Activists took umbrage at all the security measures, arguing that if justice is served and steps are taken to dismantle structural racism in the city, none of the extra enforcement would be necessary.
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Jury asked for water, post-it notes and clerk's list of exhibits, last of which is not in evidence and will not be provided.by Kevin Rector via twitter 12/15/2015 2:27:47 PM
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City braces for possible protests: Activists
Bmore Bloc, which has led marches against alleged police brutality, called for a protest if Porter is acquitted. "If Porter walks, shut it down," the group said on social media.
The People's Power Assembly said it would hold a protest and vigil outside the courthouse during jury deliberations until a verdict is reached.
The city's preparations stem from the looting, violence and arson that followed a week of peaceful protests after Gray's death in April. The rioting started with a confrontation between city students and police outside Mondawmin Mall on April 27. Rawlings-Blake's administration was widely criticized as being unprepared.
Read more about the city's preparations » -
Judge Williams said jurors have been clearly told only to consider info from court and letter not "an appropriate reason" for mistrial.by Kevin Rector via twitter 12/15/2015 2:26:11 PM
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Prosecutor Schatzow said there was "nothing incendiary" in letter & noted jurors have already been questioned whether they can be impartialby Kevin Rector via twitter 12/15/2015 2:25:01 PM
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Porter's attorney Proctor said court's been "diligent" telling jurors to avoid news but never said "don't open your child's homework packet"by Kevin Rector via twitter retweeted by justin_fenton 12/15/2015 2:23:43 PM
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Porter's attorney Proctor said court's been "diligent" telling jurors to avoid news but never said "don't open your child's homework packet"by Kevin Rector via twitter 12/15/2015 2:23:27 PM
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Baltimore is bracing for more unrest as jury deliberations began in the case of Officer William Porter
The mayor activated an emergency headquarters, the city school system warned students against violence and even the Obama administration asked for calm Monday as Baltimore began the wait for a verdict in the first trial of a police officer in the Freddie Gray case.
» Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake said she wants business to continue as usual across the city but activated the Emergency Operations Center on Monday morning "out of an abundance of caution." The move put representatives from the city's police, fire, transportation, health and public works agencies in the same room, "coordinated to respond if needed," she said.
» Baltimore city schools CEO Gregory Thornton used similar language in a letter to parents, assuring them that the district is "taking every precaution" to prevent a repeat of the April riots. He warned students that "walkouts, vandalism, civil disorder, and any form of violence are not acceptable."
» And White House spokesman Josh Earnest urged peacefulness in Baltimore, and said the president was proud of Chicagoans' "forceful but peaceful display of concern" after a video was released showing a police shooting of 17-year-old Laquan McDonald. -
Defense also asked that individual jurors be questioned as to whether they received @BaltCitySchools letter. Judge also denied that request.by Kevin Rector via twitter retweeted by justin_fenton 12/15/2015 2:21:23 PM
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Defense also asked that individual jurors be questioned as to whether they received @BaltCitySchools letter. Judge also denied that request.by Kevin Rector via twitter 12/15/2015 2:20:53 PM
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BREAKING: Porter defense motions for mistrial, change of venue based on @BaltCitySchools letter. Judge Williams DENIES.by Kevin Rector via twitter retweeted by justin_fenton 12/15/2015 2:20:01 PM
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BREAKING: Porter defense motions for mistrial, change of venue based on @BaltCitySchools letter. Judge Williams DENIES.by Kevin Rector via twitter 12/15/2015 2:18:27 PM
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Noticed SA Mosby had at least three security people, maybe four, in the secure courtroom yesterday. Was held at bay by one as they filed inby Justin Fenton via twitter 12/15/2015 2:02:54 PM
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Baltimore Co schools postponed or canceled field trips into the city through the end of the week baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/…by Justin Fenton via twitter 12/15/2015 2:02:52 PM
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Confirmed w/ court spokeswoman that jury in Off William Porter trial has indeed resumed deliberations this morning. Did not appear in court.by Kevin Rector via twitter 12/15/2015 2:02:32 PM
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Evidence delivered to jury room when all 12 jurors present. Jury can resume deliberations as soon as clerks have taken their phones.by Kevin Rector via twitter 12/15/2015 2:02:31 PM
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Just now, clerks and deputies entered courtroom and collected a bunch of displays used at trial, seemingly to carry back to jury room.by Kevin Rector via twitter 12/15/2015 2:02:30 PM
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At @BaltimorePolice HQ on unrelated matter. Staff of EOC strolling in w/ special badges; temp metal gates surrounding entrance to building.by Kevin Rector via twitter 12/15/2015 2:02:29 PM
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Meanwhile, events of April weigh heavy on minds of Baltimoreans as verdict approaches. twitter.com/cmcampbell6/st…by Kevin Rector via twitter 12/15/2015 2:02:28 PM
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And here's our story recapping defense and prosecution closings yesterday: baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/…by Kevin Rector via twitter 12/15/2015 2:02:27 PM
