A Baltimore judge declared a mistrial on Wednesday in the trial of the Baltimore police officer William Porter who was charged with involuntary manslaughter in the death of Freddie Gray.
Porter was the first of six police officers to go on trial in connection to Gray’s death.
Mistrial declared in trial of Baltimore cop charged in death of Freddie Gray: https://t.co/HDBPwYTP38 pic.twitter.com/gWxrHf4iTz
— Reuters Top News (@Reuters) December 16, 2015
Reuters reported:
A Maryland judge declared a mistrial on Wednesday in the trial of Baltimore police officer William Porter, who was charged with involuntary manslaughter in the death of detainee Freddie Gray.
Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Barry Williams issued the ruling after the jury of seven women and five men was unable to each a verdict after about 16 hours of deliberations.
“I do declare a mistrial,” Williams said. He said an administrative judge would set a new trial date as early as Thursday.
Porter, who looked relieved after the ruling, said he would not appear at the scheduling hearing.
The panel said on Tuesday that it was deadlocked, but Williams told the jurors to keep trying to reach a verdict.
Porter is the first of six officers to be tried in Gray’s death, from a broken neck suffered while he was transported in the back of a police van.
As predicted, jury failed to convict on any of counts against cop accused in death of #FreddieGray. Case never should have been brought.
— Larry Elder (@larryelder) December 16, 2015
One protester was arrested.
Happening now: Police arrested a protestor outside of the court house. @wusa9 #FreddieGray pic.twitter.com/9WdS4mAVJC
— Ellison Barber (@ellisonbarber) December 16, 2015
Activist Kwame Rose arrested–
KwameRose arrested #FreddieGray #WilliamPorter Trial pic.twitter.com/VwElaFVwSx
— ChuckModi (@ChuckModi1) December 16, 2015
