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judge barry williams

Jun 1, 2017

Baltimore judge receives MSBA section’s criminal practice award

Before Baltimore City Circuit Judge Barry G. Williams made national headlines presiding over the Freddie Gray police officer trials, he was a prosecutor with the U.S. Department of Justice and the Baltimore City State’s Attorney’s Office. Williams, who has been on the bench since 2005, will be recognized for his legal career accomplishments Thursday night with […]

Aug 17, 2016

Unsealed documents reveal discovery disputes in Freddie Gray cases

Nearly one year after vitriolic court filings began flying in earnest as litigation in the Freddie Gray cases ramped up, Baltimore City Circuit Judge Barry Williams is unsealing court documents.

Jul 28, 2016

Freddie Gray prosecutors defend their case, strategy

Baltimore prosecutors continued Thursday to accuse police of meddling into their investigation of Freddie Gray’s death and stood by their theory of the case one day after State’s Attorney Marilyn J. Mosby announced the dismissal of charges against the three remaining officers awaiting trial. Chief Deputy State’s Attorney Michael Schatzow and Deputy State’s Attorney Janice [[...]

Jul 26, 2016

New prosecutors face ‘heavy burden’ in Miller pretrial hearing

Officer Garrett Miller is scheduled this week to become the fifth officer tried in connection with the death of Freddie Gray. But he will be the first tried after testifying in a fellow officer’s case, necessitating a unique pretrial hearing where a new team of prosecutors will have to prove it is untainted by his […]

Jul 18, 2016

With third acquittal in Freddie Gray cases, judge continues to reject state’s theories

After three straight acquittals for officers charged in connection with the death of Freddie Gray, there are few theories left for prosecutors to offer that Baltimore City Circuit Judge Barry Williams has not already rejected.

Jul 14, 2016

Attorneys debate reasonableness, foreseeability in Rice closings

The foreseeability of Freddie Gray’s injuries and the reasonableness of Lt. Brian Rice’s actions at the scene when Gray was loaded into the back of a police van last year were the focus of closing arguments Thursday at Rice’s criminal trial. Prosecutors claimed Rice, the most senior officer charged in connection with Gray’s death, made […]

Jul 13, 2016

Defendant in next Freddie Gray case puts focus on ‘clean team’

A different set of state’s attorneys will take the reins for the next trial of an officer charged in connection with the death of Freddie Gray. But first, Officer Garrett Miller wants a hearing to prove prosecutors don’t know anything about Miller said in May at another officer’s trial. Attorneys for Miller filed a motion […]

Jul 13, 2016

As Freddie Gray cases roll on, few subtle differences

There were few changes made on either side in the fourth trial of an officer charged in connection with the death of Freddie Gray, but as with each case, small quirks have emerged throughout Lt. Brian Rice’s trial. Rice was the third officer in a row to opt for a bench trial in front of Baltimore […]

Jul 11, 2016

Judge drops charges, fellow officers take stand in Rice trial

A Baltimore judge dismissed a misdemeanor count against one of the officers charged in connection with the death of Freddie Gray Monday after the state rested but the lead charge of manslaughter remained as the defense case began. Prosecutors wrapped up their case against Lt. Brian Rice after testimony from two fellow officers and Baltimore City Circuit […]

Jul 7, 2016

Few changes to state’s case as fourth Freddie Gray trial begins

Baltimore prosecutors began the fourth trial for an officer charged in connection with the death of Freddie Gray with no new factual allegations but an emphasis on Lt. Brian Rice’s role as a shift supervisor responsible for making decisions and giving orders. Baltimore City Circuit Judge Barry Williams heard opening statements — and the state […]

Jul 5, 2016

State criticized again for discovery violation in Freddie Gray case

Thousands of pages of police training documents cannot be used in the case against a Baltimore lieutenant charged in connection with the death of Freddie Gray after a judge Tuesday found prosecutors’ failure to obtain and disclose the documents sooner violated discovery rules. The trial of Lt. Brian Rice, who is charged with manslaughter, assault, […]

Jul 1, 2016

Experts: Lt. Rice’s high rank likely a non-issue in next Gray case

The first senior officer charged in connection with the death of Freddie Gray is expected to go to trial the first week in July, but experts do not believe his elevated rank will make him any more legally culpable in Gray’s death than the officers he supervised. Lt. Brian Rice is the highest-ranking of the […]

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