Freddie Gray jurors deadlocked, judge says keep deliberating
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BALTIMORE (AP) — Jurors in the manslaughter trial of a police officer charged in the death of Freddie Gray said Tuesday they were deadlocked, but the judge overseeing the case told them to keep deliberating.
The jury sent a note to Baltimore Circuit Judge Barry Williams after about nine hours of discussions over two days. It wasn’t clear if they were stuck on one or more of the four charges Officer William Porter faces. He is the first of six officers to stand trial in Gray’s death.
As the jury deliberated, armored vehicles and police were stationed around the city, and officials promised they were prepared for any unrest. Last spring, parts of the city were burned and looted as frustrations grew over the police department’s alleged mistreatment of blacks.
The note about being deadlocked was jurors’ fifth on Tuesday. Later in the afternoon, they told the judge they would deliberate until 5:30 p.m. EST before going home for the evening.
They earlier requested highlighters, an easel and sticky notes, suggesting they were taking a businesslike approach to assessing Porter’s role in the arrest and death of Gray.
Porter faces charges of manslaughter, assault, reckless endangerment and misconduct. If convicted of all charges, he could face 25 years in prison.
Gray died April 19, a week after his neck was broken while he was in the back of the van with wrists and ankles shackled. The autopsy concluded that the injury probably occurred as Gray slammed against a wall during cornering or braking.
