The verdict in the trial of Caesar Goodson Jr., the Baltimore police officer facing the most serious charge in the death of Freddie Gray, is expected to be read by Judge Barry Williams Thursday morning, two weeks after the trial began, CNN reports.
Goodson, who elected earlier this month to be tried by a judge and forgo a jury trial, is facing multiple charges, including second-degree depraved-heart murder, for his role as the driver of the police van Gray was in when authorities say Gray was gravely injured. The incident, according to authorities, resulted in Gray's death from a spinal injury after he was not secured properly in the back of the police van when he was apprehended by police last year.
Goodson also faces charges of misconduct in office, involuntary manslaughter, manslaughter by vehicles (gross negligence), manslaughter by vehicle (criminal negligence) and reckless endangerment.
According to CNN, during closing arguments Monday, prosecutors insisted that Goodson failed to properly secure Gray in the back of the van and then failed to provide the young man with proper care once Gray said that he needed medical attention.
Prosecutors also argued that Gray was subject to a "rough ride," which was described as a punishment that officers sometimes impose against unruly suspects.
"His actions constitute, and his omissions constitute, depraved-heart murder," Baltimore City Deputy State's Attorney Janice Bledsoe said, according to CNN.
Defense attorneys, however, described Gray as uncooperative and combative, maintaining that there was no evidence of the alleged rough ride and that Gray's injuries were caused in part because he was thrashing about the van, the network reports.
"We certainly don't want to speak poorly about the deceased, but Mr. Gray created the high degree of risk," defense attorney Matthew Fraling said.
Read more at CNN.