The jury is now deliberating in the case against Officer William Porter.  Baltimore Mayor Rawlings-Blake has activated emergency operations in anticipation of the verdict – in case of riots.  Legal observers think it could go either way depending on the emotional influence in the jury.   (Legal Insurrection has a breakdown of the closing arguments HERE)

(Via Baltimore Sun) Prosecutors said in closing arguments Monday that Officer William G. Porter‘s failure to help Freddie Gray turned a police arrest van into a “casket on wheels,” while Porter’s defense attorneys said the state’s case was based on theories and asks jurors to fill in the blanks.

While prosecutors had hinted at it during trial, Chief Deputy State’s Attorney Michael Schatzow directly accused Porter of lying about his account and suggested a “coverup.”

Defense attorney Joseph Murtha said there were high legal bars for the state to reach with its evidence in order for jurors to convict — bars they had failed to reach.

“You’re making a legal decision, not moral, philosophical decisions,” Murtha told the jury.

Jurors [began deliberating] after 2:15 p.m. Monday. The closing arguments capped two weeks of testimony, in which Porter took the stand himself and dueling medical experts theorized as to how Gray was injured. Porter is charged with involuntary manslaughter, second-degree assault, misconduct in office, and reckless endangerment. He faces up to 10 years if convicted on the first count.  (read more)