First officer to be tried in Freddie Gray case plans to testify
BALTIMORE -- A court filing indicates that the first Baltimore police officer to stand trial in the Freddie Gray case plans to take the stand in his own defense.
Officer William Porter has been charged with assault, misconduct in office and manslaughter. His trial is scheduled to begin Nov. 30.
According to a pretrial motion filed by the man's attorney, Williams "anticipates testifying in this matter" and to call character witnesses. Prosecutors asked that the judge limit the number of character witnesses Porter can call at trial.
Porter is one of six officers charged in the death of Freddie Gray, a 25-year-old black man who died a week after suffering a critical spinal injury while in police custody. His death sparked protests and civil unrest.