State Requests Porter Injunction Be Dismissed In Freddie Gray Case
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- The Court of Special Appeals halts the testimony of Officer William Porter -- for now. A judge had ordered him to testify against Officer Caesar Goodson Junior.
Goodson's trial is set to begin on Monday. He's facing the most serious charges related to the death of Freddie Gray.
Meghan McCorkell has more on how this decision could have a far-reaching impact.
The ruling doesn't necessarily mean that Officer William Porter won't testify -- it just means he doesn't have to right now.
Will he or won't he? Officer William Porter's testimony could make or break the prosecution's case in the murder trial of Officer Caesar Goodson.
"All of this is about whether the state can force Officer Porter to take the stand," said attorney Adam Ruther.
Prosecutors say Porter is a key witness against Goodson, who was driving the van where Freddie Gray sustained his fatal injuries.
Judge Barry Williams ordered Porter to take the stand, but Porter's lawyers say that infringes on his "...rights under State and Federal Constitutions."
The state Court of Special Appeals has now halted Porter's testimony until they make a ruling.
In a motion filed Friday, prosecutors argue Porter doesn't meet factors required for an injunction and say the absence of his testimony "...irreparably harms the government's ability to prosecute Goodson."
Waiting for the high court's ruling could potentially lead to a postponement in the Goodson case, though former city prosecutor Adam Ruther says Judge Williams isn't likely to postpone.
"It's more likely that he will order that the trial go forward on Monday, and if the order is still stayed when it comes time to call Officer Porter, the state may not be able to call Officer Porter," Ruther said.
If the state's second highest court sides with Porter's attorneys, he most likely won't testify in any of his fellow officers' cases -- a game-changer for prosecutors.
"It will be a much harder case to try without that evidence," said Ruther.
The decision is now in the hands of the high court.
Jury selection is still set to begin on Monday.
A mistrial was declared in William Porter's first trial. He'll go back on trial in June.