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Officers charged in Freddie Gray’s death ask to have statements thrown out Officers charged in Freddie Gray’s death ask to have statements thrown out
(about 1 hour later)
A judge in Baltimore was holding a hearing on Tuesday to determine the admissibility of statements made to investigators by police officers charged in connection with the death of Freddie Gray. A judge in Baltimore held a hearing on Tuesday to determine the admissibility of statements made to investigators by police officers charged in connection with the death of Freddie Gray.
Gray was a 25-year-old African American man who died on 19 April, a week after suffering a spinal injury while in police custody. Three of the six officers charged are African American. Gray’s death led to rioting, looting and arson in the city.Gray was a 25-year-old African American man who died on 19 April, a week after suffering a spinal injury while in police custody. Three of the six officers charged are African American. Gray’s death led to rioting, looting and arson in the city.
All six of the officers charged arrived at court, entering via a side door. Officers who interviewed them were also in attendance.All six of the officers charged arrived at court, entering via a side door. Officers who interviewed them were also in attendance.
The hearing, before circuit judge Barry Williams, could last two days. The first of six trials is set to begin on 30 November. The hearing, before circuit judge Barry Williams, could last two days. The first of six trials is set to begin on 30 November. Five of the six officers have asked to have their statements thrown out, contending they were improperly obtained. One officer, Caesar Goodson, did not give a statement.
Five of the six officers have asked to have their statements thrown out, contending they were improperly obtained. One, Caesar Goodson, did not give a statement. In court, state’s attorney for Baltimore city Marilyn Mosby sat behind her deputy and assistant attorneys as attorneys for officers Garrett Miller and Edward Nero, along with those for Lieutenant Brian Rice, discussed their motions to suppress statements given to detectives.
Baltimore city state’s attorney’s spokeswoman Rochelle Ritchie said Williams will also hear disputes over what information prosecutors must share with defendants. Ultimately, those motions were withdrawn. The state’s attorney requested that potential witnesses be sequestered during the hearing.
The trials of the six officers were meant to begin on 13 October. Instead, as journalists and law enforcement officers lined up outside the Baltimore circuit court as the sun rose, Baltimore sheriff’s officials erected a small barricade in front of a then-empty public line into what would be a fifth motions hearing for the officers. Detectives from the Baltimore police department’s force investigation team who interviewed Sergeant Alicia White on 12 and 17 April gave testimony indicating that White had initially been viewed as a witness, was never compelled to give statements, and signed waivers to her miranda rights and her rights under the Law Enforcement Officers’ Bill of Rights.
A police helicopter circled overhead, beginning when merely roughly one dozen journalists stood in their own line for entry to judge Williams’ courtroom. Deputy state’s attorney Janet Bledsoe offered video of White signing those waivers. The second detective indicated that another interview had been scheduled, “based on inconsistencies”, before White’s counsel raised an objection.
Earlier, as journalists and law enforcement officers lined up outside the Baltimore circuit court, sheriff’s officials erected a small barricade in front of a then-empty public line into what would be a fifth motions hearing for the officers.
A police helicopter circled overhead, beginning when merely roughly a dozen journalists stood in their own line for entry to judge Williams’s courtroom.
At a scheduling hearing on 29 September, individuals attending for other cases had to wait outside and take tickets alongside spectators for the Gray case. There was no ticketing on Tuesday.At a scheduling hearing on 29 September, individuals attending for other cases had to wait outside and take tickets alongside spectators for the Gray case. There was no ticketing on Tuesday.
Protesters have gathered outside the courthouse in recent weeks for multiple cases, including the cases of those who were arrested in the protests and riots that followed Gray’s death. At least three individuals have been arrested near the courthouse since hearings began.Protesters have gathered outside the courthouse in recent weeks for multiple cases, including the cases of those who were arrested in the protests and riots that followed Gray’s death. At least three individuals have been arrested near the courthouse since hearings began.
The defense argued in a previous motion for the case’s removal from Baltimore that an impartial jury could not be found in a city whose population, it alleged, would fear renewed large-scale protest. Judge Williams ruled against this motion, pending jury selection.The defense argued in a previous motion for the case’s removal from Baltimore that an impartial jury could not be found in a city whose population, it alleged, would fear renewed large-scale protest. Judge Williams ruled against this motion, pending jury selection.
As motions hearings have continued, the presence of demonstrators has noticeably lessened.As motions hearings have continued, the presence of demonstrators has noticeably lessened.