The first of six officers that have been charged in the death of Baltimore man Freddie Gray who died in police custody earlier this year will begin his trial today, with jury selection being the primary agenda in the city of Baltimore.
Officer William Porter faces charges of assault, manslaughter, reckless endangerment and misconduct in office. There were over 80 potential jurors who were screened for duty today. At least 12 of them said they were somehow employed by law enforcement. Half of the jury pool said that they were either a victim of a crime or arrested and charged with a crime.
With the recent unrest that had Baltimore under siege, the police shooting caught on camera in Chicago and the cop-related killing in Minneapolis, the fate of race relations in Baltimore and across the country hinges on this case.
The case is said to be closed no later than December 17.
