A judge has ruled the trials of six Baltimore police officers charged in connection with the death of Freddie Gray will be kept in Baltimore.
Judge Barry Williams ruled Thursday, saying the officers could get fair trials in Baltimore despite days of protests, rioting and a weeklong city-wide curfew after Gray's death.
Gray died in April after he was critically injured in police custody.
Protesters cheered outside the courthouse. "The trial stays here," they said repeatedly.
Attorneys for the officers had argued that a million-dollar settlement the city reached with the Gray family sways jurors, along with other pre-trial publicity.
Judge Barry Williams ruled Thursday, saying the officers could get fair trials in Baltimore despite days of protests, rioting and a weeklong city-wide curfew after Gray's death.
Gray died in April after he was critically injured in police custody.
Protesters cheered outside the courthouse. "The trial stays here," they said repeatedly.
Attorneys for the officers had argued that a million-dollar settlement the city reached with the Gray family sways jurors, along with other pre-trial publicity.
Gray was a 25-year-old black man who died after being fatally injured while in police custody. Attorneys for the officers have said days of protests and riots, a city-wide curfew and other pretrial publicity would taint a jury pool made up of Baltimore residents. Prosecutors believe the trials should be held in the city.
After both sides make arguments, Baltimore Circuit Court Judge Barry Williams made a decision.
Police have had a "soft presence" outside the courthouse - no shields, helmets or riot gear - but all officers are on-call and ready to respond to any unrest, Commissioner Kevin Davis said.
Source WBAL
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