BALTMORE, Md. (AP) - The Baltimore neighborhood that experienced the worst of April's rioting after Freddie Gray's funeral was calm in the hours after the mistrial of the first officer charged in Gray's death.
Tessa Hill-Aston is president of the Baltimore branch of the NAACP. She took part in a prayer and unity gathering Wednesday night at the intersection that was the epicenter of April's unrest.
She says people are expressing support for peace. Nearby, protesters peacefully called for justice and greater awareness of the community's economic hardships.
She says while a lot of people are upset that the trial of Officer William Porter ended in a mistrial, she says they recognize that they have a lot more to go through with five more trials of other officers charged in the case.
Two Protesters Arrested
The Baltimore Sheriff's Office says two people who protested outside the courthouse after a mistrial was declared Wednesday in the trial of police officer William Porter are facing charges.
Sheriff's office spokeswoman Maj. Sabrina Tapp-Harper said 21-year-old Darius Rosebrough, an activist also known as Kwame Rose, and a 16-year-old juvenile were arrested.
Both are charged with disorderly conduct, failure to obey a law enforcement officer's command, and disturbing the peace by using a bullhorn outside the courthouse while court was in session.
Judge Meets with Attorneys
The judge overseeing the mistrial of an officer charged in the death of Freddie Gray will meet privately Thursday with prosecutors and defense attorneys to talk about dates for a possible retrial.
After a mistrial of Officer William Porter, Judge Barry Williams said there would be an administrative hearing, presumably open to the public, about the case on Thursday. But later, the court sent out a note saying the meeting would be in the judge's chambers.
Williams declared a mistrial after jurors could not agree on any of the four charges Porter faced. The jury deliberated for about 16 hours over three days.
Porter Reacts
Baltimore police Officer William Porter, charged with manslaughter in the death of Freddie Gray, acknowledged that his mistrial does not spell the end of his troubles.
The Baltimore Sun reports that Porter had little to say when reached by phone Wednesday night.
"It's not over yet," he said, before politely the ending conversation. "But thank you for the call."
