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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Freddie Gray's police van was 'coffin on wheels' - prosecutor | Freddie Gray's police van was 'coffin on wheels' - prosecutor |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| A Baltimore officer on trial over a death in custody has been accused of turning a police van into a coffin on wheels, prosecutors have argued. | A Baltimore officer on trial over a death in custody has been accused of turning a police van into a coffin on wheels, prosecutors have argued. |
| Officer William Porter, charged with manslaughter, has said he did not call for a medic for Freddie Gray because he had no reason to do so. | Officer William Porter, charged with manslaughter, has said he did not call for a medic for Freddie Gray because he had no reason to do so. |
| A prosecutor said Mr Porter could have easily called for a medic or used a seatbelt in the back of a police van. | A prosecutor said Mr Porter could have easily called for a medic or used a seatbelt in the back of a police van. |
| Gray died a week after sustaining a spinal cord injury in the van. | Gray died a week after sustaining a spinal cord injury in the van. |
| The jury is now deliberating Mr Porter's fate after closing arguments wrapped up. | |
| 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. |
| Prosecutor Janice Bledsoe said during closing arguments that Mr Porter "just didn't care enough" to secure Gray with a seatbelt or call for medical attention. | Prosecutor Janice Bledsoe said during closing arguments that Mr Porter "just didn't care enough" to secure Gray with a seatbelt or call for medical attention. |
| Mr Porter said he checked on Gray during the stops, and he had no signs of injury. | Mr Porter said he checked on Gray during the stops, and he had no signs of injury. |
| He is charged with manslaughter, assault, misconduct in office and reckless endangerment and could receive up to 25 years in prison. | He is charged with manslaughter, assault, misconduct in office and reckless endangerment and could receive up to 25 years in prison. |
| Other officers' saying they do not use seat belts on prisoners is not an excuse, she said. | Other officers' saying they do not use seat belts on prisoners is not an excuse, she said. |
| Mr Porter said Gray asked for help getting off of the floor of the van and denied claims that Gray told him he could not breathe. | Mr Porter said Gray asked for help getting off of the floor of the van and denied claims that Gray told him he could not breathe. |
| However Mr Porter did say he hear Gray say something about needing an inhaler upon his arrest. | However Mr Porter did say he hear Gray say something about needing an inhaler upon his arrest. |
| He said in 200 arrests involving the van, he has never belted a prisoner because the wagon is "pretty tight". | He said in 200 arrests involving the van, he has never belted a prisoner because the wagon is "pretty tight". |
| "External facts" show Mr Porter is telling the truth, his lawyer Joseph Murtha said, according to the Baltimore Sun. | "External facts" show Mr Porter is telling the truth, his lawyer Joseph Murtha said, according to the Baltimore Sun. |
| Mr Murtha said Gray's death was a "horrible tragedy" but that there is no evidence Mr Porter is responsible for it. | Mr Murtha said Gray's death was a "horrible tragedy" but that there is no evidence Mr Porter is responsible for it. |
| Concerned about possible unrest after the verdict, Baltimore is opening an emergency operations centre as the trial wraps up. | Concerned about possible unrest after the verdict, Baltimore is opening an emergency operations centre as the trial wraps up. |
| Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake has said she is sure city officials are prepared for any protests that may arise. | Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake has said she is sure city officials are prepared for any protests that may arise. |
| Five other Baltimore police officers will go on trial in Gray's death. All have pleaded not guilty. They will be tried separately and prosecutors hope to use Mr Porter as a witness in the other trials. | Five other Baltimore police officers will go on trial in Gray's death. All have pleaded not guilty. They will be tried separately and prosecutors hope to use Mr Porter as a witness in the other trials. |
| The officers' charges | The officers' charges |