Security Heightened At Courthouse As Freddie Gray Hearings Set To Begin
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- The national spotlight will be back on Baltimore Wednesday, as a judge hears critical arguments that will impact the fate of six police officers. They'll soon be on trial for the death of Freddie Gray.
WJZ Investigator Mike Hellgren at the Mitchell Courthouse.
Security will be tight both inside and outside Courthouse East as hearings begin in the Freddie Gray case, with several police agencies sending out advisories warning of possible disruptions and city police canceling all leave.
Demonstrations are planned to start before the judge opens the courtroom.
Click here to learn about more about the motions that will be discussed in Wednesday's hearing.
"If they don't [prepare] and something goes down, they'll be to blame again," said Mike Borsos.
"It's always better to be safe than sorry so I think Baltimore is just being prepared. I don't think anything is seriously going to happen," said Janae Fowler.
"That's out of sheer abundance of caution just to prepare and hopefully we don't need to use our preparations," said Lt. TJ Smith.
Judge Barry Williams laid out strict rules which he said are designed to preserve the security and dignity of the court. Deputies will control visitor movement on the second floor. The judge asked visitors not to bring backpacks and reporters will conduct interviews from an area at the corner of Fayette and Calvert.
The restrictions are even more stringent than those for the last huge trial here: that of former Mayor Sheila Dixon.
Parking restrictions are in place all around the courthouse with signs accounting for both of the upcoming hearing dates.
The officers are not expected to attend either hearing---and don't expect to see police in riot gear...although they have new equipment and training since the April unrest, but they don't want to to provoke.
"We are going to treat a protest like a protest and a riot like a riot and that should come across loud and clear," said Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake.
The eyes of Baltimore---and those around the world---will again be watching.
"I don't think they'll want a repeat of what happened. The most important thing is that there's justice at the end of the day," said Grace Orimalade.
The trial is scheduled for October, but it could be pushed back due to the enormity of these cases.
WJZ will have complete coverage of the hearing Wednesday.