quote:

Originally posted by Czechvar:
The Mayor needs to make sure her constituents have plenty of "room to destroy"...I don't think the jury can convict unless they ignore their instructions.

Absolutely. Let's hope they follow the judge's guidance and do the right thing.

http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireS...st-warnings-35773019

Jurors in the manslaughter trial of a Baltimore police officer charged in the death of Freddie Gray say they're deadlocked, but the judge overseeing the case has told them to keep deliberating.

The jury sent a note to Baltimore Circuit Judge Barry Williams on Tuesday afternoon after about nine hours of deliberations over two days in the trial of Officer William Porter.

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so much for justice in Baltimore.

If there was ever a case that needed change of venue, it was these cases



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adding:

http://www.baltimoresun.com/ne...story.html#nt=outfit

attorneys were called back into Williams' courtroom at about 3:30 p.m. for a jury note.

Williams said the jury said they were deadlocked. The jury did not elaborate on whether they are split on all or some of the charges, or which way the panel is leaning.

Williams read from a portion of the jury instructions that had been read at the outset of the deliberations, in which he said the jury must reach a unanimous decision. Without any further comment, Williams told the jury to continue deliberating.

Porter's attorneys have repeatedly said that the 26-year-old officer cannot get a fair trial in Baltimore, arguing their decision could be affected by concern for its impact in the community.

how could people not be influenced by the mayor giving the Gray family a 6.4 million dollar award ?

Deadlocked?

Uh huh

As long as at least one of these people are honest and follows the rule of law, there is no way there can be a conviction. The rest of the trials will be all down hill.

When he's found not guilty, and the city officials again hold back the police, let the pest hole that is baltimore burn to the ground.

From reporters:

If jurors reach a verdict on some charges but not others, the court can accept those verdicts and prosecutors may re-try the other charges, Dillard said.

The judge told jurors not to send him notes to report progress. He said he does not want to hear from them until they have a unanimous verdict.

If convicted, what sentence would Porter face?

The most serious charge, involuntary manslaughter, carries a sentence of up to 10 years in prison.

Second-degree assault also carries a sentence of up to 10 years, and reckless endangerment carries a sentence of up to five years.

Misconduct in office has no penalty prescribed in Maryland law, and the sentence is up to the judge's discretion.

What da hell be depraved heart murder?

It does sound pretty bad, don't it?

In an ordinary murder case, prosecutors have to prove not only that a person was killed, but that the person charged with the crime intended for someone to die.

In a depraved-heart murder case, prosecutors must prove instead that the suspect knowingly did something that was likely to kill, and that he showed "extreme indifference" to the possible harm.

The classic example of depraved-heart murder, Maryland's courts have said, is "shooting of a rifle into a passing passenger train with the result that a person on the train is slain."

So how does that fit this case when everyone claims they didn't know dude was really hurt? Seems like it would be the case if they knew he was hurt and the dude drove around like an NYC cab driver. I assume he is the driver?

Officer Goodson was the van driver.

IMHO the charges are a total fabrication to appease the rioting mob.


adding:

jury is going home for the night, coming back tomorrow

So I take it they are deadlocked at first go.

Comments by MD Gov Larry Hogan:

“Crime is out of control in Baltimore City,”

"Where are the people protesting the 330 people murdered?”

“We want people to have the right to express their concerns and frustration and protest in a peaceful manner,”

“But we want to make sure we stop violence and stop looting. We don't want to see people hurt. We don't want to see property destroyed.”

“We've got a tremendous drug problem, heroin problem, problem with gangs running the streets. And they're killing each other left and right. And it's something that we've got to figure out a solution to.”

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Maybe the Baltimore mayor & prosecutor will propose more police prosecutions. (sarc combined w ridicule)


adding:

The jury requested a transcript of witness testimony. Judge denied the request.

Jurors must rely on memory and their notes.

Jury still trying to come to consensus at Wed 1:55 pm EDT

This message has been edited. Last edited by: sdy,

Mistrial declared

Jury is hung on all charges.


http://live.baltimoresun.com/E...y_case_live_coverage


Sounds like a new trial date will be set tomorrow.

quote:

Originally posted by sdy:
Mistrial declared

Jury is hung on all charges.

Yup. Could have seen this one coming from 1000 miles away. A few people with their head screwed on straight on one side and a few people with a political agenda on the other. Kangaroo court is in session.

What does this mean, I thought a mistrial resulted in an acquittal. These idiots going to keep going to trial until they convict? What about double jeopardy?

quote:

Originally posted by Czechvar:
What does this mean, I thought a mistrial resulted in an acquittal. These idiots going to keep going to trial until they convict? What about double jeopardy?

Mistrial is not a verdict - like it never happened. Once a verdict is reached double jeopardy would apply.

They can keep re-trying until a verdict is reached, just depends on how much the city wants to spend on it.

http://live.baltimoresun.com/E...y_case_live_coverage

Mayor Rawlings-Blake issues statement on judge's decision

"A few minutes ago, Judge Barry G. Williams declared a mistrial in the criminal case of Officer William Porter because the jury was unable to reach a unanimous verdict.

It is now up to State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby to determine whether to further pursue criminal charges. This is our American system of justice.

Twelve Baltimore residents listened to the evidence presented and were unable to render a unanimous decision.

As a unified city, we must respect the outcome of the judicial process. In the coming days, if some choose to demonstrate peacefully to express their opinion, blah blah blah

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court reporter:

"We were not told how the jury was split on any of the counts; court previously told me that information will not be given."

This is bad for the prosecution. They wanted to use this officer to testify against the others.

With a mistrial he can't because he could incriminate himself since the case is still open. Of course they could give him immunity.

quote:

Originally posted by bubbatime:

quote:

Originally posted by sdy:
Mistrial declared

Jury is hung on all charges.

Yup. Could have seen this one coming from 1000 miles away. A few people with their head screwed on straight on one side and a few people with a political agenda on the other. Kangaroo court is in session.

Nah, I don't personally think so. I think you had a jury that realized that rendering a 'not guilty' verdict would put their very lives at risk when re-entering the community after the trial. Conversely, rendering a guilty verdict would subject them to national ridicule and condemnation for months. This is exactly why the venue should have been changed for all the trials, and why the judge who refused that venue change is either a damn fool, or complicit in the attempted railroading of these cops.

quote:

Originally posted by comet24:
This is bad for the prosecution. They wanted to use this officer to testify against the others.

With a mistrial he can't because he could incriminate himself since the case is still open. Of course they could give him immunity.

How would it be possible to use him against the others?

It sounds to me like he was the only one who actually looked at Gray. If I understand correctly, the other officers were just at the arrest scene. They had no control over what happened after the van left the scene.