All trials of officers charged in Freddie Gray case put on hold

WASHINGTON — All trials of the officers charged in the death of Freddie Gray in Baltimore have been put on hold by the Maryland Court of Appeals.

The court made the decision Thursday because it is debating whether or not to force officer William Porter to testify. Porter’s trial ended in a mistrial in December.

Last month, Baltimore Circuit Judge Barry Williams refused the state’s motion to force Porter to testify against Edward Nero, Garrett Miller and Lt. Brian Rice, who were the officers who initially arrested and detained Gray last April.

Porter has said he won’t testify against his colleagues. Porter’s attorneys he plans to invoke his Fifth Amendment protections against self-incrimination.

The trial of officer Nero was scheduled to start Monday. Six officers were charged in his arrest and death.

Arguments in the appeal are set to be heard next month.

Porter’s retrial has been scheduled for June 13.

Gray died in April from injuries that prosecutors say he received while riding in a police van following his arrest.

Federal News Network Logo
Log in to your WTOP account for notifications and alerts customized for you.

Sign up