2nd Freddie Gray trial set, fellow officer must testify

BALTIMORE — The second trial for a police officer charged in the death of Freddie Gray is set for next month — a year after the black man’s neck was broken in a police van — and one of the officer’s colleagues will be forced to testify.

The latest reshuffling of trial dates happened Tuesday when Maryland’s highest court ruled that Officer William Porter must testify against his fellow officers while he awaits retrial.

The trial for Lt. Brian Rice, the highest-ranking officer charged in the Gray case, will start April 13 — one year and one day after Gray was arrested outside the Gilmor Homes in Baltimore’s Sandtown-Winchester neighborhood when he ran from police.

Rice is charged with manslaughter, misconduct in office, reckless endangerment and assault.

The first ruling agreed with Baltimore Circuit Judge Barry Williams’ decision to force Porter to testify against Sgt. Alicia White and Officer Caesar Goodson, all of whom face manslaughter, assault, reckless endangerment and misconduct in office charges.