BALTIMORE, Md. (AP) - In the second day of the trial for Officer Edward Nero, who faces assault and other charges in the arrest and subsequent death of Freddie Gray, the state called its ninth witness.
Brandon Ross testified that he was with Gray and another friend on April 12, when they came upon a bike patrol officer. Gray took off running and that officer and two others, including Nero, chased Gray.
Ross testified that he called the police after Gray was arrested, but used a fake name because "I knew I was going to be harassed."
Gray was arrested and died a week later after suffering a critical spinal injury in the back of the police transport van without a seat belt. Ross said Nero showed up after Gray was handcuffed and identified him as the officer who lifted Gray by his feet and "threw him" into the wagon head-first.
Prosecutors showed cellphone videos shot during Gray's arrest and during the wagon's second stop, when Gray was secured in leg irons.
Prosecutors will call more witnesses Friday Officer Nero's trial.
Nero faces assault, misconduct in office and reckless endangerment charges stemming from Gray's arrest. Prosecutors say Nero and two other officers arrested him illegally, and that they were negligent by failing to buckle him into a seat belt. Nero's attorney said Nero didn't arrest the man, and that it was the wagon driver's responsibility to secure Gray. His trial began Thursday.
Nero is one of six officers charged in the case.
