Protesters and police gathered in front of the Baltimore court where a judge declared a mistrial Wednesday in the first case connected to the death of Freddie Gray.
Footage from outside the court shows demonstrators gathered and a line of sheriff’s deputies and other law enforcement formed in front of the Baltimore Circuit court.
The Associated Press reports that at least one protester had been detained by police.
The mayor urged for residents to remain calm and, if they were to protest, that they do so peacefully.
The city has been on edge while awaiting for the verdict in the case against police officer William Porter to be handed down. Porter plead not guilty to charges of second-degree assault, involuntary manslaughter, reckless endangerment and misconduct in office, and the jury could not reach a unanimous verdict on any of the charges.
A mistrial was declared in the trial of a Baltimore police officer charged in connection with the death of Freddie Gray after the jury failed to reach a unanimous decision.
It’s unclear whether the state will pursue a retrial of the cop, William Porter. An administrative hearing has been scheduled for Thursday to potentially schedule a new court date.
The jury deliberated over three days, signaling at one point that they might not reach a unanimous decision. Jurors told the court Tuesday they were deadlocked but the judge sent them back to deliberate.
Porter faced second-degree assault, involuntary manslaughter, reckless endangerment and misconduct in office charges. He has pleaded not guilty to all the charges, as have the other five officers charged in connection to Gray’s death.
Gray died in April from a severe spinal injury while in custody after being arrested when he fled from the police. Porter allegedly failed to get medical help for Gray as the transport vehicle carrying the suspect made several stops in Baltimore after picking him up on the way to the police station.
