Judge: Officer must testify in 2nd Freddie Gray trial
BALTIMORE -- A Baltimore judge has ruled that a police officer facing charges stemming from the death of Freddie Gray must testify against his fellow officer at an upcoming trial.
Baltimore Circuit Judge Barry Williams ruled Wednesday that William Porter, whose trial ended in a mistrial last month, can be compelled to take the stand in the trial of Caesar Goodson.
Gray died in April from injuries that prosecutors say he received while riding in a police van following his arrest, sparking protests and unrest that resulted in millions of dollars in damages.
Goodson, who was driving the van, is facing the most serious charge of the six officers charged in the case. In addition to manslaughter, assault, misconduct in office and reckless endangerment, prosecutors charged him with second-degree "depraved-heart" murder.
Porter was the first of the officers to be tried in Gray's death but a judge declared a mistrial after jurors could not reach a verdict. His retrial has been scheduled for June 13.
Porter had previously said he planned to invoke his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination if called to the stand. Now, if he does, he can be held in contempt of court.
His attorney, Gary Proctor, says he plans to ask an appeals court to overturn the ruling before Monday, when jury selection in Goodson's trial is scheduled to begin.
CBS affiliate WJZ reported Williams also ruled Wednesday that the jury will not remain sequestered, but will be anonymous. He also denied a request for a change in venue.