Judge sets retrial date for officer accused in Freddie Gray's death

A Baltimore police officer will face retrial on a manslaughter charge over the death of black detainee Freddie Gray starting on June 13, a Maryland judge ruled on Monday, after the officer's first trial ended in a deadlocked jury.

Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Barry Williams set the trial date for Officer William Porter after meeting with prosecutors and defense lawyers, the Maryland state courts office said in a statement.

Porter, who is also black, was the first of six officers to be tried in connection with Gray's death from a broken neck sustained while in police custody.

Gray was arrested after fleeing from police. He was put in a transport van, shackled and handcuffed, but was not secured by a seat belt, in violation of department policy. He died a week later.

His death in April caused protests and rioting in the majority black city and intensified a U.S. debate on police treatment of minorities.

A jury was unable to reach a decision last week, prompting Williams to declare a mistrial. Porter faces charges of involuntary manslaughter, assault, endangerment and misconduct.

The trial of Officer Caesar Goodson, who faces the most serious charge of second-degree depraved heart murder, remains on track to begin Jan. 6.

Reuters