BREAKING: Hung Jury in Freddie Gray Case
CNN is reporting via their livestream that a hung jury has been declared in the trial of Officer William Porter, one of six officers charged in the death of Gray, a 25-year-old black man who broke his neck in April while being transported in a police van, shackled but not wearing a seat belt. Jurors were in their third day of deliberations and CNN reported this morning that:
The jury resumed its talks Wednesday morning in the trial of Officer William Porter, one of six officers charged in the death of Gray, a 25-year-old black man who broke his neck in April while being transported in a police van, shackled but not wearing a seat belt.
Gray’s death a week after his injury sparked demonstrations and riots and made him a symbol of the black community’s distrust of police. The outcome of Porter’s trial could have a domino effect on the other officers’ cases.
The jury on Tuesday afternoon told a judge that they’d been been unable to reach an unanimous decision on Porter’s charges, but the judge asked them to keep at it.
The jurors resumed deliberating around 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, and shortly before lunch asked the judge whether it could receive transcripts of testimony — a request the judge denied, without elaboration. By that time, the jury had deliberated for nearly 14 hours of deliberations over three days.
If the trial ends with a hung jury, prosecutors would have the opportunity to try the case again.
Per the reports rolling in already, it seems that Porter will face a jury again, yet, only time will tell. As for the other officers who are awaiting their day in court for their roles in Freddie Gray’s death, they are probably breathing a little easier witnessing this juries frustration on reaching a verdict. I’ll keep updating this post as information comes in.
Until then, visit the CopBlock.org “Resources” page to learn more about filming the police, knowing your rights, joining/starting a CopBlock group near you and much much more.
OFFICERS CHARGED IN GRAY DEATH:
