This article is from the source 'guardian' 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.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/oct/13/freddie-gray-baltimore-hearing-admissibility-officer-statements

The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
Six officers charged in Freddie Gray case appear in Baltimore court Six officers charged in Freddie Gray case appear in Baltimore court
(35 minutes later)
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.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 the court, entering via a side door. Officers who interviewed them were also in attendance.All six of the officers charged arrived at the 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 to begin on 30 November. Five of the six officers asked to have their statements thrown out, contending they were improperly obtained. One officer, Caesar Goodson, did not give a statement.The hearing, before circuit judge Barry Williams, could last two days. The first of six trials is to begin on 30 November. Five of the six officers asked to have their statements thrown out, contending they were improperly obtained. One officer, 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. In court, the 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. Ultimately, those motions were withdrawn.
Ultimately, those motions were withdrawn.
The state’s attorney requested that potential witnesses be sequestered during the hearing.
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 regarding her Miranda rights and her rights under the Law Enforcement Officers’ Bill of Rights.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 regarding her Miranda rights and her rights under the Law Enforcement Officers’ Bill of Rights.
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.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.
Interviewing White as a witness on 4 April, the court heard, Detective Michael Boyd called White “sarge” and laughed with her. Sergeant Tashawna Gaines, the supervisor of the force investigation team, testified that she initially met White on 4 April and discussed “certain facts of the case”, but did not take notes. Interviewing White as a witness on 12 April, the court heard, Detective Michael Boyd called White “sarge” and laughed with her. Sergeant Tashawna Gaines, the supervisor of the force investigation team, testified that she initially met White on 12 April and discussed “certain facts of the case”, but did not take notes.
Defense motions for the suppression of White’s two statements were denied. Williams found that detectives accurately depicted both situations to her and never compelled or coerced her to make a statement.
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.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 a dozen or so journalists stood in their own line for entry to Williams’s courtroom.A police helicopter circled overhead, beginning when merely a dozen or so journalists stood in their own line for entry to Williams’s courtroom.
At a scheduling hearing on 29 September, individuals attending court 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 court 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.