Judge: Freddie Gray Jurors Won't Be Sequestered During 1st Trial
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- Critical decisions. In just days, the first officer in the Freddie Gray case will go on trial. Tuesday, there were key, new rulings that will impact his fate. It will be one of the biggest trials ever in Baltimore and the judge just made some big decisions on what jurors will see and hear. These new developments come less than a week before Officer William Porter heads to court for the death of Freddie Gray.
Investigator Mike Hellgren has all the major rulings and how they impact the case.
The judge rejected new arguments the case be moved from Baltimore and decided not to sequester the jury as exchanges at times turned testy between him and lawyers for the accused officer.
Judge Barry Williams was quick and to the point. Among his rulings: jurors will not be sequestered but they will remain anonymous.
The trial for Officer Williams Porter gets underway Monday and Tuesday morning, the judge rules on some last-minute issues -- at times having testy exchanges with the defense.
Porter is one of six Baltimore police officers charged in the death of Gray, a 25-year-old black man who died a week after suffering a spinal injury in a police van. Porter is charged with manslaughter, assault, reckless endangerment and misconduct in office.
LIVE BLOG: 1st Freddie Gray Trial To Begin In A Week
The judge decided jurors will only be allowed to see two cell phone videos -- including one of Gray's arrest.
He also left open whether they'll be allowed to hear about Gray's past -- including his arrest record -- but the judge cautioned he will not allow "irrelevant" information.
The defense again requested a change in venue, citing a University of Baltimore poll about citizens attitudes toward police in Baltimore, a recent Baltimore Sun profile of Gray.
Jurors will be allowed to see the transport van where prosecutors say Gray suffered severe spinal injuries.
Prosecutors will be allowed to introduce into evident the police department's order - mandating those in custody be seat belted into the van and they'll be able to present evidence that not doing so may constitute gross negligence.
There was some drama in court with Judge Barry Williams telling one of Porter's lawyers to "sit down" after denying his motion for a change of venue. He said, "I am satisfied I am right and you are wrong. If I'm wrong, the Court of Appeals will tell me."
The defense cited a new poll showing many in Baltimore are distrustful of police and a Baltimore Sun profile of Freddie Gray that included interviews with loved ones.
The trial will be among the biggest Baltimore has ever seen.
Prosecutors say Officer porter checked on Gray but denied him medical help after Gray asked for it repeatedly.
"We don't know what the dynamic is in Baltimore city -- in front of a Baltimore city jury -- is in respect to whether they will be inclined to give the police officers the benefit of doubt," said legal analyst Andrew Levy.
Lawyers in the case left court without talking. The judge has put a gag order on them.
The judge also said at this point he will not limit the number of character witnesses the defense can call on Officer Porter's behalf.
City State's Attorney Marilyn Mosby and Officer Porter were not at the pretrial hearing.