Baltimore Circuit Court Judge Barry Williams has begun the process of jury selection for the first of six trials of city police officers accused in the death of Freddie Gray.
In this trial, Officer William Porter is facing several charges including reckless endangerment and involuntary manslaughter. He could face up to 10 years in jail if convicted on the most serious charges.
The jury pool of more than 70 people can be characterized as a reflection of Baltimore’s population; majority black and multi-generational.
Williams began the vetting process by asking if anyone had NOT heard of the Freddie Case before asking if anyone was aware of the incident or the $6.4 million settlement the city reached with Gray’s family in September. They all had heard of the case and the settlement.
Slightly more than the half of the pool said they or an immediate family member was either a crime victim, charged with or convicted of a crime, served a jail sentence or have charges or cases pending. Ten jurors said they had medical issues.
Williams told the jury pool that he thinks serving on a jury is an important duty as a citizen and added that he rarely excuses a juror from service; even his own staff.
Legal observers have called Porter’s trial an important one particularly for prosecutors. Porter was called to check on Gray when he was shackled in the back of a police van driven by Officer Caesar Goodson on April 12.
According to The Sun, Porter told Goodson that Gray needed medical help. Charging documents allege that neither Goodson – whose trial is scheduled in January – nor Porter offered or called for that help.
Gray died April 19 from a severe spinal injury he suffered while in custody.
Williams said Porter’s is expected to last two weeks and should not go past December 17.