Jury in Officer Porter’s Trial Deadlocked as Deliberations Continue

Criminal defense attorney and former prosecutor in Baltimore City, Warren S. Alperstein appeared on a recent MSNBC video interview regarding the outcome of the arguments presented by both the prosecution and the defense during the trial for Officer William Porter who is charged in connection with the death of Freddie Gray.

As it related to the charge of involuntary manslaughter, “The State has to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Officer Porter acted in a gross, grossly disregard for the welfare and human life of Freddie Gray,” said Mr. Alperstein. “The defense really did present a good case, they didn’t have to, and I think it’s going to be quite difficult, I think, for the jury to unanimously come to a verdict whereby they convict Officer Porter.”

Closing arguments were made earlier this week, and after about nine hours of deliberation, the jurors said they could not reach a verdict, but were ordered by Judge Barry Williams to continue deliberating. The members of the jury must deliberate until they reach a unanimous verdict on Officer Porter’s charges, but if they continue to remain deadlocked, the judge can declare a mistrial on the deadlocked charges.

Watch this MSNBC video segment in its entirety here.