12-14-2015, 01:20 PM
Baltimore: Closing Arguments in First Freddie Gray Trial
William Porter is the first of the Baltimore PD defendants on trial for the death of Freddie Gray back in April. Gray died after spinal injuries sustained in the back of a police van; he was not seat-belted and had indicated he needed medical attention before he was eventually driven to the hospital (where he later died). Six Baltimore PD officers are charged in his death.
![[Image: 120915+william+porter+barry+williams.jpg]](http://media.nbcwashington.com/images/652*367/120915+william+porter+barry+williams.jpg)
Porter testified in his own defense last week. He said that he didn't summon medical attention for Gray because Gray didn't communicate any specific injuries, he just said "yes" when Porter asked him if he needed to go to the hospital. He said that it was the responsibility of Officer Goodson (who is facing the most serious charges in a future trial) to make sure that Gray was wearing a seat belt.
Prosecutors says that Porter, 3 years on the force, didn't care enough to make sure Gray was belted and should have secured medical attention for him instead of putting him back in the van for the continued ride/stops, unsecured. They have described the police van as Freddie Gray's 'casket on wheels'.
The mayor and police chief have set up an emergency response team in preparation for the verdict. Hopefully, the city will remain peaceful after a verdict is delivered. Closing arguments are underway now and jury deliberations will follow.
Porter is charged with second degree assault, misconduct in office, involuntary manslaughter, and reckless endangerment. I think he'll probably be acquitted of the assault and manslaughter charges and convicted of misconduct in office and maybe reckless endangerment, but that's just my guess.
Story: http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/marylan...story.html
William Porter is the first of the Baltimore PD defendants on trial for the death of Freddie Gray back in April. Gray died after spinal injuries sustained in the back of a police van; he was not seat-belted and had indicated he needed medical attention before he was eventually driven to the hospital (where he later died). Six Baltimore PD officers are charged in his death.
Porter testified in his own defense last week. He said that he didn't summon medical attention for Gray because Gray didn't communicate any specific injuries, he just said "yes" when Porter asked him if he needed to go to the hospital. He said that it was the responsibility of Officer Goodson (who is facing the most serious charges in a future trial) to make sure that Gray was wearing a seat belt.
Prosecutors says that Porter, 3 years on the force, didn't care enough to make sure Gray was belted and should have secured medical attention for him instead of putting him back in the van for the continued ride/stops, unsecured. They have described the police van as Freddie Gray's 'casket on wheels'.
The mayor and police chief have set up an emergency response team in preparation for the verdict. Hopefully, the city will remain peaceful after a verdict is delivered. Closing arguments are underway now and jury deliberations will follow.
Porter is charged with second degree assault, misconduct in office, involuntary manslaughter, and reckless endangerment. I think he'll probably be acquitted of the assault and manslaughter charges and convicted of misconduct in office and maybe reckless endangerment, but that's just my guess.
Story: http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/marylan...story.html