BALTIMORE (AP) — The latest on the trial of a Baltimore police officer who is charged with manslaughter in the death of Freddie Gray, a 25-year-old black man who was injured in the back of a police transport van (all times local).
11 a.m.
A prosecutor says Officer William Porter only had to fasten Freddie Gray’s seat belt and call a medic to save his life, and described the wagon Gray was injured in a “casket on wheels.”
Prosecutor Janice Bledsoe made the statement Monday during closing arguments in Porter’s trial. Porter faces manslaughter and other charges in the arrest and death of Gray. He could face about 25 years in prison if convicted on all of the charges.
Bledsoe told the jury there’s no reason not to put a seat belt on someone in the police wagon. She says Porter “just didn’t care enough.”
She also says that even though other officers have said they don’t use seat belts on prisoners, that’s not an excuse.
Gray died in a hospital a week after he suffered a spinal injury in the wagon.
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9:30 a.m.
Baltimore’s mayor says the city is opening an emergency operations center as the first trial of a police officer in Freddie Gray’s death draws to a close.
Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake says in a letter to community leaders that she has “no doubt” city officials are prepared for anything, but the center will open at 10 a.m. Monday as a precaution. She says it will help agencies coordinate any necessary response. Rawlings-Blake says the city also is communicating with outside law enforcement agency partners.
The mayor says business should continue as usual and people must respect the jury’s decision in Officer William Porter’s trial. He’s one of six officers charged.
Gray’s April 19 death was followed by peaceful demonstrations. But unrest broke out April 25 and again on April 27, bringing a curfew and the National Guard to the streets.
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9 a.m.
Prosecutors and defense attorneys will deliver closing arguments in the trial of William Porter, one of six Baltimore police officers charged in the death of Freddie Gray.
Porter’s trial is beginning its third week. He’s charged with manslaughter, assault, reckless endangerment and misconduct in office. Court was set to start at 9 a.m. Monday.
Gray died April 19, a week after he suffered a broken neck in the back of a police transport van. Prosecutors say Porter is partially responsible for not buckling Gray into a seat belt and for not calling for an ambulance when Gray indicated he needed aid. Defense attorneys say that Porter didn’t know Gray was injured and that it was the wagon driver’s responsibility to buckle prisoners into seat belts.
Gray’s death sparked protest and rioting.
