A digest of Baltimore news from local sources.
From City Paper: Profiles of Baltimore Mayoral Candidates
On March 10, WEAA is hosting the Baltimore Mayoral Debate at Morgan State University's Murphy Fine Arts Center, co-sponsored by City Paper, The Afro, and the Spokesman. Tickets are sold out, but live streaming of the event will be available at weaa.org.
Read: City Paper's Profiles of the Candidates
From the Baltimore Sun: Appeals Ruling in Freddie Gray Case Could Have Wide Implications
"The pair of rulings by the Court of Appeals on Tuesday set the cases against six police officers charged in the arrest and death of Freddie Gray back in motion, but the judges left key questions — with potentially far-reaching consequences for other prosecutions — unanswered.
"Lawyers are waiting for full opinions from the court to explain exactly why it found that Officer William G. Porter can be compelled to testify against his colleagues.
"Attorneys around the state will read those opinions closely, analysts said, in search of any indication that they have enhanced the state's powers to compel testimony or contest unfavorable rulings in the middle of a case.
"Much will depend on how narrowly the court's rulings are tailored to the specific facts of the Gray cases, which could limit their relevance to prosecutors pursuing defendants in other cases.
"The six police officers, who face charges ranging from misconduct in office to second-degree murder, have pleaded not guilty. The appeals focused on whether Porter could be compelled to testify against his fellow officers while he is a defendant himself.
"The appeals judges ruled that Porter could be compelled to testify but offered no reasoning Tuesday.
"The Fifth Amendment ordinarily prohibits police or prosecutors from forcing a suspect to make an incriminating statement. But the law also recognizes situations in which there is public interest in compelling a witness to reveal key information, even at the risk of implicating themselves in a crime."
From the Washington Post: Baltimore Schools Officers Charged Following Video of Apparent Assault
"A Baltimore school police officer who was captured on camera slapping, kicking and cursing at a young man is now facing criminal charges.
"Anthony Spence has been charged with second-degree assault, second-degree child abuse and misconduct in office, according to online court records.
"The charges came after footage showed the 44-year-old Spence striking the young man; video of the confrontation surfaced earlier this month.
"A second schools officer, Saverna Bias, was charged with second-degree assault and misconduct in office, the Baltimore Police Department said in a statement Wednesday.
“'Both officers turned themselves in last night and were processed at the Central Booking Intake Facility,' the police statement said.
"The school police force in Baltimore is separate from the municipal police force."