One of the six officers who ignored the cries of Freddie Gray while he was in police custody has taken the stand in his trial. Officer William Porter took the stand Wednesday (December 9th) in his own trial as prosecutors alleged that Porter did not call for medical help after he was summoned by the driver to check on Gray, who’d been complaining that he needed medical attention.
Following the testimony of a forensic pathologist, Porter’s attorney’s put him on the stand as prosecutors rested their week long case. They allege that after seeing Gray was not buckled in a seat belt, Porter did not get him into a seat belt as stated in department policy. Gray died a week later of a spinal injury that occurred during his April 12 arrest, which caused extended social unrest in Baltimore.
In Monday’s testimony, Dr. Carol Allan stated that it was unknown how Gray received his neck injury. It could have happened during the van’s second and fourth stops, but Allan testified that the long delay getting Gray to the hospital led to his death being ruled a homicide. She went on to state that had the driver taken Gray to the hospital after he told Porter he could not breathe, he would have survived.
Porter pleaded not guilty to involuntary manslaughter , second degree assault, misconduct in office and reckless endangerment.
