Nero, Attorneys Remain Under Gag Order In Spite Of Acquittal

In spite of his acquittal this week, Officer Edward Nero and his attorneys will continue to be barred from making any public statements on the case outside of the courtroom, as part of a gag order imposed by Judge Barry Williams.

In an order issued late Monday, but posted on the court's website today, Judge Williams said his order will remain in effect until the trials of all six accused officers are completed, because he ruled the court views all six trials as one case.

CLICK HERE to read the order.

Shortly after the verdict was announced, but before this new order was issued, Nero's attorney Marc Zayon said that Nero and his wife and family are "elated that this nightmare is finally over."



"The state's attorney for Baltimore City rushed to charge him, as well as the other five officers, completely disregarding the facts of the case and the applicable law," Zayon said in a statement to WBAL and other news organizations.

In his order, Judge Williams pointed out that on a motion filed by an attorney for WBAL and other news organizations that, "this Court...is first and foremost, concerned with making sure that each side of the associated cases has a right to a fair trial. Part of that is to make sure that, as much as possible, the ultimate trier of fact is swayed as little as possible by opinions and rhetoric is not pretended in the courtroom.

"This court also noted that it does not consider any of the cases to be over until each defendant has had an opportunity for a trial because the Court considers all of these cases to be part of one proceeding."

Judge Williams initially issued this order in October.

The next trial related to the death of Freddie Gray begins June 6, when Officer Caesar Goodson, the van driver, goes on trial.

Lt. Brian Rice goes on trial July 5. Officer Garrett Miller goes on trial July 27.

Officer William Porter's retrial is scheduled for September 6. Sgt. Alicia White's trial is scheduled fro October 13.