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Lt. Brian Rice opts for bench trial in Freddie Gray case

By: Associated Press

Posted at 8:52 PM, Jul 04, 2016

and last updated 2018-12-31 14:51:23-05

BALTIMORE (AP) - Lt. Brian Rice selected a bench trial Tuesday in the Freddie Gray case.

Like Officers Edward Nero and Caesar Goodson, Rice will now stand trial before a judge. His trial is scheduled to begin Thursday at 9:30 a.m.

BREAKING: #BaltimorePolice Officer, Lt. Brian Rice, elects for a bench trial. #FreddieGray #RiceTrial @ABC2NEWS
— Erick Ferris (@erick_ferris) July 5, 2016

Rice is the fourth Baltimore police officer slated to stand trial on charges stemming from the death of a 25-year-old prisoner whose neck was broken in the back of a police transport wagon.

Pre-trial motions began Tuesday in the trial of Lt. Brian Rice on charges of manslaughter, assault, reckless endangerment and misconduct in office in the death of Freddie Gray.

Judge Barry Williams ruled that both the assault and reckless endangerment charges will not be dropped.

Defense will argue reckless endangerment charge should be dropped. Motion says seatbelt issue has proven NOT to be an issue in other trials.
— Brendan McNamara (@BrendanABC2) July 5, 2016

Rice's lawyers also calling for case to be thrown out, given evidence discovery issues brought up in Goodson's trial.
— Brendan McNamara (@BrendanABC2) July 5, 2016

Rice is the highest-ranking officer charged in the case. Two other police officers charged in the case were acquitted, and the proceeding against a third officer was declared a mistrial.

Gray died April 19, a week after he suffered a critical spinal injury in a police wagon while he was handcuffed and shackled but left unrestrained by a seat belt.

ABC2 News contributed to this report.

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