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Freddie Gray case: Baltimore officer takes witness stand in Goodson trial

By Doug G. Ware
Baltimore police Officer William Porter on Monday testified in the trial of fellow Officer Caesar R. Goodson Jr., one of six Baltimore police officers charged in the April death of Freddie Gray. Photo courtesy of Baltimore Police Department
Baltimore police Officer William Porter on Monday testified in the trial of fellow Officer Caesar R. Goodson Jr., one of six Baltimore police officers charged in the April death of Freddie Gray. Photo courtesy of Baltimore Police Department

BALTIMORE, June 13 (UPI) -- A Baltimore police officer on trial for the death of Freddie Gray heard testimony Monday from a fellow officer who also faces charges stemming from the incident.

Caesar Goodson was the officer who drove the police van immediately following Gray's arrest in April 2015, and who faces the most serious charge for his death -- second-degree murder. Also charged with manslaughter and other related counts, Goodson went to trial last week.

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Monday, Officer William G. Porter was called to the witness stand by prosecutors to recount the events of the incident. Last year, Porter's prosecution was interrupted by a mistrial and officials say he will be retried later this year.

On the stand Monday, Porter testified that Gray did not show obvious signs of trouble after his arrest and placement inside the van for transport. Gray sustained a severe spinal cord injury during the trip to the police station, which led to his death a week later.

Prosecutors have argued that the officers did not buckle Gray in the van with a seat belt, which is standard police protocol.

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When asked whether the officers had a chance to buckle Gray in the van, Porter said, "I guess so."

Six Baltimore officers have been charged in the incident. Porter and another, Edward Nero, who was acquitted last month, have already gone through legal proceedings. The other three will stand trial between July and October.

All have pleaded not guilty.

Gray, 25, was arrested on April 12, 2015, after he was spotted by three bicycle-mounted police officers acting suspiciously in a low-rent Baltimore neighborhood. After a brief pursuit, police said Gray was found to be in possession of a switchblade-type knife and arrested.

If convicted, Goodson could spend decades in prison. The murder charge alone carries a maximum penalty of 30 years.

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