This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-34131423

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Freddie Gray case: Baltimore judge upholds officers' charges Freddie Gray case: Six officers to be tried separately
(about 5 hours later)
A US judge has refused to drop charges for six police officers accused over the death of a black man in police custody, a case that sparked rioting in Baltimore in April. A US judge has ruled that six Baltimore police officers accused of causing the death of a man in their custody will stand trial separately.
The judge also rejected a motion to have the prosecutor recused at a hearing in the Freddie Gray death case. Baltimore Circuit Judge Barry Williams said that trying the officers as a group would not be "in the interest of justice".
Dozens of protesters have gathered outside the courthouse in Baltimore, amid heightened police security. Freddie Gray, 25, died after sustaining a severe spinal cord injury while riding in a police van in April.
Gray, 25, died from a severe spinal cord injury while in custody in April. His death sparked nights of unrest and weeks of protests in the city.
His death, which was ruled a homicide, is one of several involving black Americans and police officers which has sparked unrest and national debate over police and race relations. Defence lawyers initially sought to have the charges dropped, but Judge Williams denied that request.
The officers have pleaded not guilty to the charges, which range from false imprisonment to involuntary manslaughter. Judge Williams also rejected a motion to have the prosecutor removed from the case at a pre-trial hearing on Wednesday.
Police say they have made one arrest so far on Wednesday, but the protests were mainly peaceful. Defence lawyers argued misconduct by state prosecutor Marilyn Mosby, and wanted an independent prosecutor to handle the case.
Gray was arrested on 12 April after a police chase on foot in West Baltimore. He sustained a severe spinal injury while being transported in a police van.
Police later admitted he had not be secured by a seatbelt and his request for medical attention at the time was denied. He fell into a coma and died a week later.
Baltimore city judge Barry Williams also denied a second motion lodged by defence lawyers calling for the dismissal and recusal of the prosecutors at Wednesday's pre-trial hearing.
They argued misconduct by state prosecutor Marilyn Mosby, and wanted an independent outside prosecutor to handle the case.
They say Ms Mosby violated her obligation to a fair trial by announcing the charges at a public news conference as protests over Freddie Gray's death were already in motion.They say Ms Mosby violated her obligation to a fair trial by announcing the charges at a public news conference as protests over Freddie Gray's death were already in motion.
Mr Williams is also expected to decide later on Wednesday whether the officers should be tried together or separately. Judge Williams called Mosby's public comments about the case "troubling" but said they were not likely to prejudice a jury.
Dates for the trials have not yet been set.
Gray's death, which was ruled a homicide, is one of several involving black Americans and police officers which has sparked unrest and national debate over police and race relations.
The officers pleaded not guilty to the charges, which range from false imprisonment to involuntary manslaughter.
Gray was arrested on 12 April after a police chase on foot in West Baltimore. He sustained a severe spinal injury while being transported in a police van.
Police later admitted he had not been secured by a seatbelt and his request for medical attention at the time was denied. He fell into a coma and died a week later.
His death sparked protests over police brutality, with the city of Baltimore erupting in rioting, looting and arson on the day of his funeral.His death sparked protests over police brutality, with the city of Baltimore erupting in rioting, looting and arson on the day of his funeral.
The full trial is not scheduled to begin until October.
Questions over whether the trial should be moved from Baltimore will be raised at a second pre-trial hearing in September.Questions over whether the trial should be moved from Baltimore will be raised at a second pre-trial hearing in September.
The officers' chargesThe officers' charges