A Baltimore judge has declared a mistrial in the case of BPD officer William Porter, because the jury was deadlocked and unable to reach a unanimous verdict on any of the charges angaist the officer.
Freddie Gray was a 25-year-old black man whose neck was broken in April as he was transported to jail. Gray was handcuffed, but not wearing a seat belt. There was a huge uprising and outrage in the aftermath of the Baltimore native’s death.
Porter was one of six officers charged and now prosecutors must decide of they will put Porter on trial again.The jury comprised of four African American women, three white women, three African American men and two white men.
Officials will convene again on Thursday morning for a new trial date. CNN reports that Baltimore State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby “visibly upset” when the verdict was dropped down. All parties are under a gag order and cannot speak on the case until every police officer accused has been tried.
Porter was one of three Black officers involved in the case. Porter stands charged with involuntary manslaughter, second-degree assault, reckless endangerment and misconduct in office.
Prosecutors say that the police were deliberately trying to injure Gray. Porter testified and said that he was just policing in the way that he normally would.
