Story highlights
NEW: Protesters march in several parts of Baltimore
The judge declared a mistrial after jurors say they couldn't reach a unanimous verdict
"It's not over yet," Baltimore police Officer William Porter tells The Baltimore Sun
They’re on opposite sides of a controversial case that’s sparked protests and left a city on edge.
But Baltimore police Officer William Porter and a lawyer representing Freddie Gray’s family seemed to agree on at least one thing after jurors said they were deadlocked and a judge declared a mistrial in the case against Porter Wednesday.
“It’s not over yet,” Porter told The Baltimore Sun in a brief phone conversation Wednesday evening, according to the newspaper.
Bill Murphy, an attorney for Gray’s family, gave a similar assessment to reporters.
“This hung jury does not mean it’s the end of Officer Porter’s case,” he said.
But what happens next is anyone’s guess.
Porter was one of six officers charged in connection with the death of Gray, a 25-year-old who died after sustaining a neck injury while in police custody. Prosecutors will decide whether to retry the case.
Freddie Gray case: The charges against six Baltimore officers
Legal analysts described the mistrial as a major setback for the prosecution that could affect the cases of the other five officers.
Judge Barry Williams will hold one or more scheduling conferences with the prosecution and defense in his chambers – behind closed doors – to discuss a new trial date, the court’s communications office said.
“Once a new date is selected, the media will be advised of the next steps,” the court said.
Gray’s family: ‘We are calm; you should be calm, too’
A defense attorney declined to comment, saying he was subject to a court gag order. Porter told CNN he was doing well but couldn’t comment on the case.
Gray’s family thanked jurors for their service and asked the public to remain calm. Reading from a statement, Richard Shipley, Gray’s stepfather, told CNN he is hopeful Porter will be retried.
“We thank this hard-working jury for their service to the public, their quest for justice, their personal sacrifice of their time and effort. We are not at all upset with them, neither should the public be upset. They did the best that they could,” he said.
“We are hopeful that (Baltimore State’s Attorney Marilyn) Mosby will retry Officer Porter as soon as possible, and that his next jury will reach a verdict. Once again, we ask the public to remain calm and patient, because we are confident there will be another trial with a different jury. We are calm; you should be calm, too.”
The police union said Porter and his attorneys will continue to press for his acquittal.
“When Officer Porter began this journey through the judicial process, we asked that everyone allow him his day in court as is promised to all citizens. Today, seven months later, Officer Porter is no closer to a resolution than he was at that time,” Baltimore Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #3 President Gene Ryan said in a written statement. “Our legal system, however, allows for outcomes of this nature, and we must respect the decision of the jury, despite the fact that it is obviously frustrating to everyone involved.”