The Latest: Nero Defense Could Wrap Up Today
By Robert Lang | WBAL.com | May 17, 20161:05 p.m.The third defense witness of the day was Officer Edward Nero’s Sgt. Warren Stephens, who says Nero considers him a mentor.
Stephens testified Nero was trained like any other officer to chase and detain a suspect if there is, " a reasonable suspicion a crime is going to be committed or a threat to public safety."
Stephens also said that general orders like the one requiring police officers to put someone in a police van in a seat belt are read at roll call which he often leads in the Western District.
When asked by defense attorneys if that specific order was read at a roll call, the prosecution objected, and the judge sustained the objection, because the question was not specific enough.
Stephens left the stand at around 11:40 a.m., and after a 10 minute bench conference with attorneys, Judge Barry Williams recessed proceedings until 2 p.m.
The defense has not rested its case, but many observers are expecting that to happen before the end of the day, with any rebuttal witnesses, and closing statements and a possible verdict coming tomorrow.
11:24 a.m.Two witnesses have testified for the defense thus far Tuesday.
The first was Baltimore police Sgt. Robert Himes, who trained Nero in bike patrol procedures. He said part of that training is "scene security," eliminating potential threats at scenes. He said bike officers are trained in loading suspects into cars, but not vans. On cross-examination, he said a bike officer has limited ability to use a police radio while riding.
The second witness was Officer Aaron Jackson, a patrol officer in Western District.
#NeroTrial Sgt. Jackson said he saw van shaking, but did not see anyone inside, also did not see Gray being placed back in van.
— Robert Lang (@Reporterroblang) May 17, 2016
He said he spoke with Brandon Ross, a friend of Gray's who took video of his arrest. He said he saw a crowd of 20 to 40 people at the scene where Gray was arrested, and said under cross-examination that he vaguely recalled seeing Gray in shackles.
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http://www.wbal.com/article/164033/2/th ... -up-tpoday