Freddie Gray Jury Will Not Be Sequestered, Judge Rules on First Case

A Baltimore judge has ruled that jurors in the first trial of a police officer in the death of Freddie Gray can remain anonymous, but they will not be sequestered.

Judge Barry Williams ruled Tuesday on more than a dozen motions ahead of Officer William Porter's trial, which starts next week. Porter is charged with assault, manslaughter, misconduct in office and reckless endangerment. He is the first of six Baltimore officers to stand trial.

Williams ruled that jurors will be able to go at home at night. He will not preemptively limit the number of character witnesses and won't bar the introduction of certain evidence, including policies and procedures related to belting prisoners. Gray was not wearing a seatbelt when he was injured in the back of a police van.

Jurors will be allowed to see a video of Gray being taken to the police van where he suffered fatal injuries. Defense lawyers for Porter didn't want the video to be shown, arguing it should be excluded as evidence because they say the video was taken before Porter came in contact with Gray.

Defense lawyers again moved to transfer the trial out of Baltimore, saying the intense media coverage would make it impossible for Porter to get a fair trial. The judge cut them off, ruling the trial would stay in the city.

The trial will begin Monday with jury selection and will draw national attention.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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