Judge Denies Motion to Dismiss Remaining Freddie Gray Charges

By Kenrya Rankin Jul 05, 2016

Judge Barry G Williams has ruled that the four officers awaiting trial for their role in the death of Freddie Gray following his time in police custody last year will have their day in court.

Last week, attorneys for Officers Garrett Miller and William Porter, Lt. Brian Rice and Sgt. Alicia White filed motions, arguing that the prosecution violated their clients’ rights and that their charges should be dismissed. This morning (July 5), The Baltimore Sun reports that Williams considered the motions and decided that the cases will proceed as planned.

Rice, the next officer set for court, opted for a bench trial, which means Williams—not a jury—will decide his fate. Williams has already acquitted Officers Caesar Goodson Jr. and Edward Nero, and Porter’s time in front of a jury late last year resulted in a mistrial.

Opening statements in Rice’s case are scheduled to begin on Thursday morning. He pleaded not guilty to involuntary manslaughter, second-degree assault, reckless endangerment and two counts of misconduct in office. Rice, 42, was the highest ranking Baltimore Police Department officer charged in Gray’s death, and he is the one who ordered the officers to chase the 25-year-old.