Baltimore Jury Deadlocked in First Freddie Gray Trial
Baltimore police have prepared for the possibility of public protests.
— -- A Baltimore jury is deadlocked over the verdict in the first trial of a police officer charged in the death of Freddie Gray.
Closing arguments finished in the case Monday afternoon and the jury told the judge today that they were deadlocked and unable to reach a decision. Judge Barry Williams ordered the jury to return to chambers to try and reach a unanimous decision.
"Compromise if you can do so without violence to your own moral judgement," Williams said.
The city of Baltimore is on edge awaiting the verdict and the police department has prepared for the public's reaction.
Gray's death in April prompted protests and riots across the city and a temporary state of emergency was put into effect.
The jury has been charged with determining whether police officer William Porter contributed to Gray’s homicide.
Porter faces second-degree assault, involuntary manslaughter, reckless endangerment and misconduct in office charges. He has pleaded not guilty to all the charges, as have the other five officers charged in connection to Gray’s death.
Gray died in April from a severe spinal injury while in custody after being arrested when he fled from the police. Officer Porter allegedly failed to get medical help for Gray as the transport vehicle carrying the suspect made several stops in Baltimore after picking him up on the way to the police station.
