Prosecutors in the trial of Baltimore police officer Caesar Goodson over the death of Freddie Gray had a rough time yesterday as the state’s star witness reportedly “crumbled” under cross examination. From the Guardian:
Prosecutors seeking murder charges over Freddie Gray’s death rested their case against Caesar Goodson on Wednesday with an expert witness who crumbled under cross examination. His testimony was the latest of several blows in the trial that experts say is prosecutors’ best shot at getting a conviction for Gray’s death.
After failing to win in the first two trials, the case against Caesar Goodson is especially important for Marilyn Mosby, the embattled state’s attorney.
On the witness stand for the prosecution was former police commander Stanford O’Neill Franklin, who was supposed to testify that Goodson — who was the driver of the van — had given Gray a “rough ride,” leading to his death.
Franklin, however, couldn’t confirm that a “rough ride” happened at all:
Wow. This cross examination of rough ride expert is…um… not going well for the prosecution.
— Kevin Rector ☀️ (@RectorSun) June 15, 2016
Fraling: In review of CCTV, see any unexpected acceleration?
Franklin: No.
Fraling: Deceleration?
Franklin: No.
Fraling: Turn?
Franklin: No.— Kevin Rector ☀️ (@RectorSun) June 15, 2016
Fraling: In your expert opinion, did Goodson give Gray a rough ride?
Franklin: "I can't say for sure."— Kevin Rector ☀️ (@RectorSun) June 15, 2016
Franklin went on to say that his only knowledge of “rough rides” was from stories:
Fraling: What's basis of rough ride knowledge?
Franklin: Growing up in Baltimore, stories.
Fraling: Studied? Written about?
Franklin: No. No— Kevin Rector ☀️ (@RectorSun) June 15, 2016
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Fraling, using air quotes: Judge should take you as rough ride "expert" based on anecdotal stories?
Franklin: Plus knowledge from arrests— Kevin Rector ☀️ (@RectorSun) June 15, 2016
Then Franklin revealed he had once been charged with giving a “rough ride” himself, but did nothing about it:
Then Franklin told story about DUI stop he made in Baltimore as Md trooper when BPD responded and he thinks gave guy he stopped a rough ride
— Kevin Rector ☀️ (@RectorSun) June 15, 2016
Fraling: What was outcome of that investigation?
Franklin: Wasn't one.
Fraling: You didn't report it?
Franklin: Man wasn't injured.— Kevin Rector ☀️ (@RectorSun) June 15, 2016
To that, Judge Williams interjects: Only report it if injury?
— Kevin Rector ☀️ (@RectorSun) June 15, 2016
Then the discussion briefly was about, basically, whether Franklin had been complicit in this other alleged rough ride himself as young ofc.
— Kevin Rector ☀️ (@RectorSun) June 15, 2016
Franklin also said it’s possible for prisoners to unbuckle themselves and that seat belts don’t make a prisoner secure:
Fraling: Prisoners in wagons routinely unseatbelt themselves?
Franklin: It's possible.— Kevin Rector ☀️ (@RectorSun) June 15, 2016
Fraling: Seatbelting does not ensure an individual is secure?
Franklin: "No it doesn't."— Kevin Rector ☀️ (@RectorSun) June 15, 2016
And then his testimony got worse when the expert on police procedures showed a complete lack of knowledge of police procedures:
Fraling: What's a 10-15?
Franklin: IDK
Fraling, 1 eyebrow up: "Aren't you testifying as an expert on general orders..policies & procedures?"— Kevin Rector ☀️ (@RectorSun) June 15, 2016
A 10-15, by the way, is police code for a request for a wagon.
— Kevin Rector ☀️ (@RectorSun) June 15, 2016
A bunch of the attorneys for the other officers were in the courtroom watching this all go down. They looked… pleased.
— Kevin Rector ☀️ (@RectorSun) June 15, 2016
The prosecution has rested its case against Ofc Goodson, van driver in #FreddieGray case.
— Kevin Rector ☀️ (@RectorSun) June 15, 2016
The defense called for an immediate acquittal of officer Goodson:
Defense immediately filed *written* motion for judgement of acquittal. Normal motion at this point in trial, but usually verbally argued.
— Kevin Rector ☀️ (@RectorSun) June 15, 2016
But the judge denied the request Thursday morning and court is back in session:
Going into court now for arguments on defense request for immed acquittal in Ofc Goodson trial in #FreddieGray case https://t.co/hjuuO0bq06
— Kevin Rector ☀️ (@RectorSun) June 16, 2016
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