It is being reported that the Court Of Appeals has ordered Officer William Porter to testify against the five other officers involved in Freddie Gray’s death!
If you remember Officer Porter was charged with manslaughter, second-degree assault, reckless endangerment and misconduct in office as result of Freddy’s death but his trial ended with a hung jury back in December.
The status of the trials for the other officers had been on hold for weeks as lawyers debated whether Porter would have to testify against his colleagues. Porter’s testimony was seen by prosecutors as critical to moving forward in the case against Caesar Goodson Jr., who was driving the van.
Porter was initially set for a retrial in January, but since the other officers are still undergoing investigation, Porter’s trial has been set for June but until then Maryland’s high court wants him to face testimony. It is reported that Chief Judge Mary Ellen Barbera has already signed over the order for this take place.
Back in January, Circuit Court Judge Barry Williams wanted Porter to testify against his co-defendants, Caesar Goodson and Sergeant Alicia White, but denied a motion from prosecutors to have Porter be a witness to Lieutenant Brian Rice and Officers Garrett Miller and Edward Nero, the other officers involved in the senseless death of Gray.
Porter’s lawyers have filed an appeal in the decision as they argue it violates Porter’s constitutional rights. Joseph Murtha, a spokeswoman for one of Porter’s attorneys declined to comment this matter.
“It’s possible this case could go all the way to the Supreme Court,” Baltimore defense lawyer, Warren Alperstein said.
The trial is pending for the other officers involved, except for one, Rice who is set to face trial on April 13.
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TSR Intern: Charise W.
Instagram: @planet_reese
http://news.yahoo.com/maryland-court-orders-officer-testify-freddie-gray-case-160442815.html
