Officer Trial Raises Questions About Policing In Baltimore
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- In hours, a Baltimore judge is set to announce his ruling in the trial of Officer Edward Nero, one of the six officers charged in connection with the arrest and death of Freddie Gray.
Marcus Washington has more.
With anticipation, the city awaits the ruling in the case of Officer Edward Nero, one of the six officers facing charges in the arrest and death of Freddie Gray. Prosecutors are looking for a solid conviction in this case, after Officer William Porter's case ended with a mistrial.
"The first one sets to some degree---while not legally---a bit of a precedence for the remaining ones so I have no doubt they're gunning very hard for a conviction in this first case," said Adam Ruther.
In this case, one person---Judge Barry Williams---will decide the verdict of guilty or not guilty.
With peaceful demonstrations expected near and around the courthouse on Monday, many people are calling for calm---including Congressman Elijah Cummings, who says the future of Baltimore will not be defined by the moments after the verdict but the years that follow.
"We must remain vigilant to our moral code of peace, no matter what the verdict," Cummings said.
The stakes are high in Nero's case, as it sets a path for the remaining five officers awaiting trial.
Judge Williams has scheduled the reading of his verdict for 10:30 a.m. Monday.
