A Baltimore police officer facing charges for the death of Freddie Gray has said Gray asked for help and may have been in medical distress on the day of his arrest.
Officer William Porter recounted Gray's pleas for help to police investigators, The Baltimore Sun reported Saturday. The Sun was given access to the investigation into Gray's death and spoke with detectives.
Gray was arrested April 12 and transported in a police van. He died a week later, on April 19, from spinal injuries he suffered while in the van. Gray's case prompted days of unrest in Baltimore and led to criminal charges against Porter and the five other officers involved in the arrest.
According to the Sun, Porter checked on Gray while he was in the van. Gray reportedly asked Porter for assistance, saying "help me, help me."
Porter helped Gray up, then asked if he required a "medic or something," or if he needed to go to the hospital. Gray "responded affirmatively," the Sun reported.
Porter then told the driver of the van, Officer Caesar Goodson, Jr., that they wouldn't be able to book Gray into jail because he was in medical distress.
However, Porter told investigators he wasn't sure if Gray actually needed medical attention, or if he was just trying to avoid jail.
Porter's comments are significant because they potentially shed light both on Gray's medical condition, as well as what the officers knew during the arrest.
Porter, Goodson, and officers Alicia White and Brian Rice all face charges including assault and manslaughter. Officers Garrett Miller and Edward Nero have been charged with assault and reckless endangerment.
A judge has ruled that the officers will be tried individually and in Baltimore.