John Bacon

USA TODAY

A Baltimore police officer accused in the death of Freddie Gray must testify against all other officers facing charges in the case, Maryland's highest court ruled Tuesday.

Gray's April death while in police custody set off rioting in the city and Black Lives Matter protests across the nation. The officer involved in Tuesday's ruling, William Porter, is awaiting a second trial after his first ended in a hung jury in December.

Five other officers also are awaiting trial in the case. Officer Caesar Goodson Jr., who drove the van that transported Gray from the scene of his arrest, faces the most serious charge: second-degree depraved-heart murder. Prosecutors accuse Goodson of driving erratically despite knowing that Gray was injured and asking for medical assistance.

Gray, 25, was transported without a seat belt during the 45-minute ride. An autopsy report revealed Gray, 25, died of a "high-energy injury" to his spine that probably was the result of a sudden stop.

Police officer's trial delayed in Freddie Gray case

Porter's testimony could be crucial in Goodson's case. At his own trial, Porter testified he was in the van for most of the ride to the police station. Porter said Gray did not appear injured and kicked and yelled for most of the journey. Gray didn't ask for medical assistance, but agreed when Porter asked him whether he wanted to go to a hospital, Porter said.

Porter testified Goodson declined to take Gray to the hospital, instead stopping to pick up another prisoner. When the van finally arrived at the police station, Gray was unresponsive.

Jason Ott, a Baltimore defense lawyer who has been watching the case closely, said he was shocked by the ruling. Ott said compelling Porter to testify while his own charges remain pending could have an impact on his case — the reason for the Fifth Amendment protection from self-incrimination.

Ott said he believes the charges should never have been brought and that the evidence remains thin. Still, the defense cases just got more difficult, he said.

"Everyone is in big trouble now," Ott said. "Goodson is the case I would be most concerned about if I was involved in these cases."

The appeals court issued two rulings, one affirming trial Judge Barry Williams' order that Porter testify against Goodson and Sgt. Alicia White, the other reversing Williams' decision not to require Porter to testify against the other three officers.

Porter himself is charged with involuntary manslaughter, reckless endangerment and assault in the death of Gray, who had been accused of carrying an illegal switchblade. Prosecutors say Porter failed to belt Gray into the van and then failed to provide medical assistance when Gray asked for it.

Porter and Goodson are black. Trials for the other four officers — three white, one black — are scheduled for the next few months. Porter is tentatively scheduled for a retrial after those trials are completed.

The city agreed in September to pay Gray's family $6.4 million to settle civil litigation in the case.