BALTIMORE, Md. (AP) - After a mistrial was declared in the first trial over Freddie Gray's death, lawyers on both sides gathered in the judge chambers, where they had been scheduled to discuss dates for a possible retrial.
The lawyers were seen Thursday morning at Circuit Judge Barry Williams' chambers. A uniformed deputy was stationed outside. About half an hour after the lawyers started arriving, they were seen leaving the chambers. They declined to comment, citing the judge's gag order in the case.
Williams on Wednesday declared a mistrial in police Officer William Porter's case. Jurors had reported a dead.
Porter is one of six officers charged in Gray's death. Gray's neck was broken in the back of a police van in April. Porter's trial lasted a little more than two weeks.
Jurors took three days to deliberate on charges of manslaughter, assault, reckless endangerment and misconduct in office.
Protester Released
A protester arrested outside the courthouse after a mistrial was declared in the trial of police officer William Porter has been released.
A twenty-one-year-old activist known as Kwame Rose, said by phone Thursday that he was released around 3:45 a.m.
A 16-year-old juvenile was also arrested, but it isn't known if he has been released.
Maj. Sabrina Tapp-Harper, a spokeswoman for the Baltimore Sheriff's Office, said both were charged with disorderly conduct, failure to obey a law enforcement officer's command, and disturbing the peace by using a bullhorn outside the courthouse while court was in session.
Legal Expert: Take A Deal
Meanwhile, a legal expert has told the Associated Press that the state's evidence against Baltimore police Officer William Porter was so strong that he should consider a plea deal.
University of Maryland law school professor Douglas Colbert said today that "because of the strength of the prosecution's evidence, Officer Porter must give serious consideration to what's best for him.
That includes consideration of negotiations and seeking immunity."
