Baltimore, MD - As our entire city is aware, Judge Williams declared a mistrial in the matter of the State of Maryland v. William Porter because 12 jurors could not agree on a unanimous decision on any of the four charges Mr. Porter faced. Baltimore Action Legal Team (BALT) is saddened by the news, but hopeful that Freddie Gray will receive justice. To be clear, anything less than a guilty verdict for all officers involved is not justice.

In response to the mistrial, BALT held a panel discussion on Wednesday night to dissect what happened in the Porter trial. BALT is committed to increasing the awareness of injustices rooted in structural racism and economic inequality. Unfortunately, the law in this case is not as clear as it needs to be.  As attorneys, we understand the complex nature of this case. Mr. Porter was not charged with committing an act. In fact, he was charged for failing to act.  Aside from the obvious legal questions raised by this case (and the many others like it), there is a much broader discussion BALT can’t ignore – we must not simply decry the unfair results of an unjust system – we must explore ways we can create a better system. 

Who is the judge?

Circuit Court Judge Barry Williams is a former city prosecutor and civil rights litigator. Judge Williams has been an associate judge in Baltimore Circuit Court since 2005. He led the court's criminal division from 2012 until January 2015 and chaired the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council for Baltimore from 2012 until 2014.

What has happened so far?

• April 30, 2015: Mosby received the results of a police investigation of Gray's death.

• May 1, 2015:  Mosby announced the charges against the officers.

• May 8, 2015: Officers file motion to dismiss charges for prosecutorial misconduct and ask Mosby to recuse herself

• May 21, 2015: A Baltimore  grand jury indicted the six police officers charged in the arrest of Freddie Gray. (Case moved from District Court to Circuit Court)

• May 27, 2015: Officers file motion for removal out of Baltimore.

• June, 26, 2015: Prosecutors filed motion for Goodson, White, Nero and Miller to be tried together.

• July 10, 2015: Nero and Miller filed motion opposing prosecution’s intent to try them with Goodson and White.

• August 17, 2015: Judge Williams quashed the subpoenas sought by Catherine Flynn to put Mosby, five other prosecutors, two investigators and an assistant medical examiner on the stand at the hearing scheduled for 9/2.  

• September 2, 2015: Judge Williams decided against the officers’ request to have their charges dismissed and against the officers attempt to remove Mosby as their prosecutor.