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Vol. 79/No. 46 December 21, 2015
Baltimore: First cop on trial in killing of Freddie Gray
AP Photo/Alex Brandon
The trial of Baltimore cop William Porter, the first of six cops charged
in the death of Freddie Gray, opened Dec. 2. Gray, a 25-year-old
African-American, was arrested April 12 and taken away in a police van.
While in custody he suffered a massive spinal cord injury and died a
week later. His death sparked a mini-rebellion that won the indictment
of the six cops involved. Above, protesters block streets in downtown
Baltimore April 25.
Porter — who was allegedly present at five of six stops the van made
while Gray was being transported — is charged with manslaughter,
second-degree assault, misconduct in office and reckless endangerment.
Prosecutors say Porter, in violation of protocol, did not call a medic
when Gray requested one, nor did he secure Gray, who was handcuffed and
shackled, with a seatbelt in the back of the van.
Porter’s lawyers argue that the Baltimore Police Department is
dysfunctional and does not provide proper training. Defense attorney
Gary Proctor ended his opening argument by mocking a slogan popularized
during protests following Gray’s death, saying, “Let’s show Baltimore
the whole damn system is not guilty as hell.”
After the hearing, protesters gathered outside a local police station
chanting, “The whole damn system is guilty as hell.”
— NAOMI CRAINE
Related articles:
Chicago actions protest cop killings, cover-up
Justice Dept. announces probe of city police
Attacks on right to free speech are blow to the working class
Fight cop brutality, defend free speech!
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