Judge won't dismiss case in Gray death

BALTIMORE - Judge Barry G. Williams ruled the case against Officer William G. Porter in the death of Freddie Gray will continue, after turning back a request from the defense to dismiss the charges.

The defense request came after the state rested its case Tuesday morning, after calling about 15 witnesses over the course of less than five days. Jurors were sent home for the day, and the defense's presentation will begin Wednesday morning.

Gary Proctor, one of Porter's defense attorneys, said prosecutors had not proved that Porter's failure to seatbelt or seek immediate medical attention for Gray rose to a "gross, wanton, deliberate" act necessary to prove involuntary manslaughter.

"There was no testimony that what Officer Porter did was any sort of deviation from what a reasonable officer would do," Proctor said, referencing an element needed to prove a crime was committed.

Prosecutors allege that Porter showed criminal indifference when he did not secure Gray with a seatbelt or summon medical attention when he complained of injuries in the back of a police van. Gray suffered injuries to his spinal cord, and he died a week later on April 19.