Jury Begins Deliberating In Porter Trial In Freddie Gray Case
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- The jury in the case of Officer William Porter has gone home for the evening. They deliberated for roughly three hours Monday.
Porter is the first of six officers charged in the death of Freddie Gray.
WJZ Investigator Mike Hellgren on closing arguments from the prosecution and the defense.
Jurors asked two substantive questions--one, they wanted transcripts of police dispatch calls from April 12-the judge denied that. They also wanted an explanation of certain words in the jury instructions that related to the charge of misconduct in office, including "bad faith." The judge said he's given them all the help that he can.
Officer William Porter's fate is now in the hands of the jury.
"They've got to conclude that based on the evidence that they've heard, the law that they've been given, that there's not one reasonable doubt about this person's guilty," said Warren Brown, lawyer and courtroom observer.
In closing arguments, Officer Porter's lawyer, Joe Murtha, told jurors there's an absence of evidence.
"The prosecution's case is based on fear and a rush to judgment," said Murtha.
While prosecutor Jan Bledsoe claimed Porter lied, telling jurors: "Once those van doors closed on Freddie Gray, the wagon became his casket on wheels."
"In his desperation for help, with his last little bit of oxygen, he said, 'I need help,'" said Tessa Hill-Aston, Baltimore NAACP president.
Prosecutors claim officers failed time and time again to get medical help for Gray, whose spinal cord was cut along the route. They also say Porter failed to secure Gray with a seat belt, mandated under general orders.
Neill Franklin used to run training for Baltimore City and Maryland State Police.
"Maybe this is a turning point," he said. "And I hate that six police officers are put in this predicament, but we've got to turn this corner."
LIVE BLOG: Track the latest developments in the Porter Trial
The defense contends Porter helped Gray, who was shackled hands and feet, off the floor of the wagon and told the van driver and later a supervisor that Gray asked for a medic. They also claim the seat belt mandate was new, poorly communicated and rarely followed.
Defense attorney Joe Murtha called Gray's death "...a horrific tragedy, but Porter is not responsible."
"We know what our oath is about and what we have sworn to do--and that is protect the citizens of Baltimore--yes, even the ones we arrest. We've got to get serious about it," said Franklin.
Jurors had one final question before being sent home for the day--they wanted more candy. They will return to deliberations at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday.
