First cop accused in Freddie Gray’s death goes to trial

BALTIMORE (AP) — Baltimore's police chief says "the future of the city is at stake" as the first trial in the death of Freddie Gray gets underway.

carrieheals

Nov 30, 2015

BALTIMORE (AP) — Baltimore’s police chief says “the future of the city is at stake” as the first trial in the death of Freddie Gray gets underway.

Six police officers were indicted in connection to Gray’s death April 19. Gray was a 25-year-old black man who was critically injured in the back of a police transport van.

Jury selection for Officer William Porter’s trial begins Monday. He faces charges of assault, manslaughter, reckless endangerment and misconduct in office.

Porter is accused of checking on Gray several times but not getting him any help.

The verdict in the first trial will set the tone for the rest: If Porter is acquitted, there could be protests and possibly more unrest like last spring.

Police Commissioner Kevin Davis says “everything is at stake.”