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In the Media: Porter Trial Jury One Vote From Acquittal; Four Baltimore Schools Close With No Heat

Clarence M. Mitchell Jr. Courthouse in Baltimore.
Marylandstater
/
Wikipedia
Clarence M. Mitchell Jr. Courthouse in Baltimore.

A digest of Baltimore news from local sources.

From the Baltimore Sun: Jury in Officer Porter Trial Was One Vote From Acquittal on Most Serious Charge

"The jury in the trial of Baltimore Police Officer William G. Porter was one vote from acquitting him of involuntary manslaughter in the death of Freddie Gray, the most serious charge he faced, according to sources familiar with the deliberations.

"Judge Barry G. Williams declared a mistrial because the jury deadlocked on all four charges last month. Jurors were two votes from convicting Porter of misconduct in office, and more divided on the charges of assault and reckless endangerment, sources said.

"How the jury voted has not been revealed previously, and the judge ruled that jurors' names should not be revealed.

"Legal experts say the information is critical to understanding the process now playing out as prosecutors and Porter's defense attorneys prepare for his scheduled retrial in June. The information could also help shape legal strategies in the pending cases against the other five police officers charged in Gray's arrest and death in April.

"One juror said some on the panel in Porter's trial were driven to tears during deliberations and afterward. The juror agreed to be interviewed by The Sun but asked to remain anonymous because Williams requested that panel members not discuss their experience. Sun reporting corroborated the juror's account of the votes.

"The jurors had to vote unanimously to convict or acquit Porter of any of the four charges he faced, and their inability to reach a verdict weighed heavily on their minds, the juror said. While deliberations turned tense at times, the juror said the panel members were 'heartfelt in their duty.'"

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From the Washington Post: Poll Finds Tight Race for Senate Seat in Maryland

"The Democratic primary for Maryland’s open Senate seat is now a dead heat between Reps. Donna Edwards and Chris Van Hollen, according to a poll released Tuesday morning.

"The survey, conducted by Gonzales Research & Marketing Strategies over the past week, finds Van Hollen winning 38 percent of likely voters in the April 26 Democratic primary, and Edwards winning 36 percent, within the poll’s margin of error.

"Those results are good news for Edwards, who in fall polling had dropped far behind Van Hollen. A Baltimore Sun survey taken in November gave Van Hollen a 14-point lead.

"The Sun poll came after Van Hollen launched a $1 million advertising campaign in Baltimore, while Edwards has yet to air any ads. But the national women’s group Emily’s List, which is backing Edwards, responded with its own $1 million ad buy on her behalf."

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From the Baltimore Sun: Four Baltimore City Schools Close Due to Lack of Heat

"Four Baltimore City schools closed Tuesday due to a lack of heat, school officials said.

"The schools, Calverton Elementary/Middle School, Edgecombe Circle Elementary School, and Armistead Gardens Elementary/Middle will close at noon. The Crossroads School, a charter, will also close, school officials said.

"It's the second time this season that the district, which has the oldest school buildings in the state, has had to close schools due to heating issues."

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