One of the Baltimore police officers facing charges in the death of Freddie Gray testified Monday that Gray had asked for help while being transported in a police van where he suffered a fatal neck injury, Reuters reports.
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Police Officer William Porter spoke at the trial of Police Officer Caesar Goodson Jr., who, as the van’s driver, is facing the most serious charge in the death of the 25-year-old Gray. Prosecutors accuse Goodson of giving Gray a “rough ride,” and he is facing multiple charges in the death, including second-degree depraved-heart murder.
According to the report, Porter testified that he responded to a call to help Goodson after the van stopped for the fourth time while transporting Gray. Porter testified that he found Gray, who was shackled, lying on his stomach on the van’s floor, his head facing the front of the vehicle.
“What, if anything, did Mr. Gray say?” prosecutor Michael Schatzow asked Porter.
“I said, ‘What’s up?’ He said, ‘Help,’” Porter said. “‘What do you need help with?’ ‘Help me up.’”
Officers did not request medical aid, and Porter helped Gray back onto a bench inside the van. Gray was not secured with a seat belt in the van, which was in violation of Police Department policy.
Back in March, a state appeals court ruled that Porter, who also faces multiple charges in Gray’s death, would have to testify. Porter’s first trial ended in a hung jury, and he faces retrial in September.
Read more at Raw Story.
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