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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Sheriff deputies move across the street, major commotion. Then protesters swarmed and more deputies pushed in. Lots of running, yellingby Justin Fenton via twitter 12/16/2015 9:20:03 PM -
NAACP prez Tessa Hill-Aston expects more protests tonight "I know they're angry but I don't want another African American man in police van"by Colin Campbell via twitter 12/16/2015 9:18:06 PM -
Some kid walking down the street yelling for justice near court has bull horn that plays what sounds exactly like a police siren.by Kevin Rector via twitter 12/16/2015 9:17:02 PM -
BALTIMORE CITY NAACP PRESIDENT TESSA HILL-ASTON STATEMENT ON OFFICER WILLIAM PORTER DECISION
“Today the jury in the Officer William Porter trial in the death of Freddie Gray has made their determination. Hopelessly deadlocked, a mistrial has been declared and we wait on a decision by the prosecutor on what will happen now.
Whether you like the decision or not, the Baltimore City NAACP calls for frustration and anger to be controlled and the rights of all people respected, on all sides. “We must be guided by our own sense of what must happen next for Baltimore, guided by the tangible sense of frustration and anger held by so many city residents and guided by the fact that there remains five officers to stand trial for the death of Freddie Gray.”
Even with this verdict, what we do know is that the change has begun. Certainly no suspect will be placed in police wagons without someone being responsible for making sure they are buckled. The long practice of “rough rides” has effectively come to an end.
And the disconnected police culture and those who have benefited from it, the same culture that allowed for the tragic death of Freddie Gray to occur, has been put on notice that you will be charged for your actions and you will be held accountable.
The work does not end with this verdict or any verdict to come in the future. It is important that we spend our days and use our energy to create a city where the bridge that exists between the citizens and those who have sworn to protect and serve them is stronger. We must continue to do our part to help people make better choices and have increased options that allow them to live as contributing members of our society and we must always believe that justice will always triumph over wrong doing, even when that is not always as clear as we’d like.” -
Media, media, media. All lined up in front of City Hall. http://pbs.twimg.com/media/CWYGCMbW4AIzXx1.jpg
by Pamela Wood via twitter 12/16/2015 9:14:50 PM -
Closed rear bay doors of court, reopened, deputies blocked traffic, two unmarked tinted vans took off and that was that. Jury? Can't confirmby Kevin Rector via twitter 12/16/2015 9:14:17 PM
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Not a lot of activists here but those that are have moved to te exit that Porter has used. Large sheriff contingent http://pbs.twimg.com/media/CWYFcMBWoAAMsOF.jpg
by Justin Fenton via twitter 12/16/2015 9:12:20 PM -
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ADVANCEMENT PROJECT RESPONDS TO MISTRIAL OF OFFICER WILLIAM PORTER
“Justice has been delayed. We are confident the State’s Attorney will not let power and privilege prevail over what’s right and just,” said Judith Browne Dianis, co-director of Advancement Project. “Police are not above the law. State’s Attorney Mosby must keep pushing for justice for Freddie Gray. His family and loved ones deserve it. They had to bury the broken body of their 25-year-old son, brother and friend. Young Black people must know their lives matter and our justice system must reflect that.”
“How many young Black people have to die at the hands of police before our legal system fully understands and acknowledges that Black lives hold more value than a badge and the power it represents? We say not one more.” -
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There also are vans lined up at police HQ across the street.by Pamela Wood via twitter 12/16/2015 9:05:46 PM
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BALTIMORE BLOC RESPONDS TO MISTRIAL OF OFFICER WILLIAM PORTER
"Baltimore Bloc has repeatedly called for justice, which will only be served if Porter is convicted on all charges. We call on State’s Attorney Mosby to move quickly to retry Porter," said Michaela Brown, Communications Coordinator of Baltimore Bloc. "This is not over. Freddie Gray was treated as less than human and killed in police custody. Anything less than convicting Porter on all charges confirms that our criminal justice system does not value Black lives. The system is structured to protect those with privileges from those who lack it. There is no doubt that a conviction should have happened. We will get another day in court." -
I'm at rear of court, *across the street* from where Sheriff's office has its "permit" that its using to clear media.by Kevin Rector via twitter 12/16/2015 9:05:23 PM
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Police getting into vans at City Hall. http://pbs.twimg.com/media/CWYDZ4pXIAEiOPf.jpg
by Pamela Wood via twitter 12/16/2015 9:03:20 PM -
Bus driver just pulled over to ask the verdict, local lawyer gives an update. Prof. Colbert explaining the law to passers by.by Ian Duncan via twitter 12/16/2015 9:03:09 PM -
"We want justice and we're just not gonnna get it." -David Rogers, left http://pbs.twimg.com/media/CWYDUR5W4AQTh-X.jpg
by Sarah Meehan via twitter 12/16/2015 9:03:00 PM -
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Things quiet at Penn North after Porter jury declares mistrial.by baynardwoods via twitter retweeted by justin_fenton 12/16/2015 9:02:19 PM -
Bunch of police at city hall. http://pbs.twimg.com/media/CWYDCXDVEAAMaZR.jpg
by Pamela Wood via twitter 12/16/2015 9:01:42 PM -
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Baltimore prosecutors have indicated they will try Porter againby Luke Broadwater via twitter 12/16/2015 8:56:32 PM -
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Line of police outside Lexington Street entrance of courthouse. Most of the crowd is media #portertrial http://pbs.twimg.com/media/CWYAzZjUwAATSun.jpg
by Sarah Meehan via twitter retweeted by pwoodreporter 12/16/2015 8:54:45 PM -
Lone protestor talks at line of police outside courthouse. Others with signs across the street http://pbs.twimg.com/media/CWYBPZKUAAAmPwD.jpg
by Sarah Meehan via twitter 12/16/2015 8:53:58 PM -
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Scene on Calvert Street http://pbs.twimg.com/media/CWX_gjIWwAA9Oyo.jpg
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Line of police outside Lexington Street entrance of courthouse. Most of the crowd is media #portertrial http://pbs.twimg.com/media/CWYAzZjUwAATSun.jpg
by Sarah Meehan via twitter 12/16/2015 8:51:59 PM -
Police form line blocking two lanes on Calvert Street http://pbs.twimg.com/media/CWYAxnVUYAIQcr9.jpg
by Sarah Meehan via twitter 12/16/2015 8:51:55 PM -
Attorneys are expected to appear in court in front of an administrative judge Thursday to pick a retrial date. bsun.md/1JctOhmby baltimoresun via twitter retweeted by pwoodreporter 12/16/2015 8:48:05 PM -
Porter stood leaning his left side against judge's bench, left elbow atop it, left hand at his mouth. Calm but clearly listening intently.by Kevin Rector via twitter 12/16/2015 8:47:33 PM
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by Ian Duncan via twitter 12/16/2015 8:47:04 PM
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Protester @kwamerose is arrested outside the courthouse during protest after mistrial. Unclear what happened.
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Police are ordering crowd to clear sidewalk outside courthouse on Calvert Streetby Sarah Meehan via twitter 12/16/2015 8:46:11 PM
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One arrest being made outside courthouse http://pbs.twimg.com/media/CWX-40jWIAAe3Dh.jpg
by Sarah Meehan via twitter 12/16/2015 8:46:11 PM -
At least three helicopters hovering above courthouse #portertrial http://pbs.twimg.com/media/CWX_YY2WcAA6Qnu.jpg
by Sarah Meehan via twitter 12/16/2015 8:46:08 PM -
At bench before hung jury announced, Williams talked to attorneys under white noise. Prosecutor Bledsoe appeared visibly frustrated.by Kevin Rector via twitter 12/16/2015 8:46:03 PM
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EDITORIAL: Officer Porter may have gotten a mistrial, but the verdict on the department for which he serves could not be more clear.
Mistrial for William Porter, clear verdict on the Baltimore Police Department
baltimoresun.comWhether inaction by Baltimore Police Officer William Porter during the arrest of Freddie Gray amounted to a crime is a difficult question, and we were not surprised to see the jury in his trial struggle with it. Judge Barry Williams ' decision to declare a mistrial after jurors failed to come to a unanimous decision on any of the four charges Mr. Porter faced no doubt will serve as a disappointment to those who wished for the verdict in this case to send a clear and unambiguous message. -
Well known local activist. RT @iduncan : Well @kwamerose just got cuffs put on by sheriffs deputiesby Pamela Wood via twitter 12/16/2015 8:44:16 PM
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Attorneys for some of the other officers also just leaving the courtby Ian Duncan via twitter 12/16/2015 8:41:30 PM
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We were not told how the jury was split on any of the counts; court previously told me that information will not be given.by Kevin Rector via twitter retweeted by pwoodreporter 12/16/2015 8:39:40 PM
