The trial against six police officers accused in the death of the 25-year-old will take place in Baltimore, despite opposition from defense attorneys.
freddy gray trial defendents
© Reuters The six U.S. police officers accused in the death of Freddy Gray: (Top L-R) Officers Caesar R. Goodson Jr., Edward M. Nero, Garrett E Miller, (Bottom L-R) officers William G. Porter, Lt. Brian W. Rice, Sgt. Alicia D. White. The six U.S. police officers accused in the death of Freddy Gray: (Top L-R) Officers Caesar R. Goodson Jr., Edward M. Nero, Garrett E Miller, (Bottom L-R) officers William G. Porter, Lt. Brian W. Rice, Sgt. Alicia D. White.
A Baltimore judge ruled Thursday against proposals to move the trail of police officers allegedly involved in the death of Freddie Gray out of town.

Defense attorneys had argued the officers would not be able to receive a fair trial in Baltimore due to the level of media coverage the case has received, calling on the judge to move proceedings elsewhere.

Chief Deputy State's Attorney Michael Schatzow slammed the defense's argument as "insulting to the citizenry of Baltimore."

"Nobody knows what the sentiment of the jurors are until you ask them questions about it," he stated, according to the Baltimore Sun newspaper.

In the end, the judge agreed with prosecutors.

"The citizens of Baltimore are not monolithic," Judge Barry Williams said in his ruling. "They think for themselves."

Outside the court, the decision was welcomed by protesters, who had gathered since early morning. Ahead of the decision, protesters had chanted, "All night, all day, we will fight for Freddie Gray!"

Police also maintained a presence outside the courthouse.

The ruling comes just days after the city reached a separate out-of-court settlement with Gray's family worth US$6.4 million.

Baltimore has been hit by a wave of protests for months, amid simmering public outrage over Gray's death in police custody.

Gray sustained a fatal spine injury while being transported in a police van, after being arrested in Baltimore April 12. He died a week later, prompting Baltimore residents to take to the streets demanding the police officers involved face trials.

The initial arrest has been slammed by Baltimore's prosecutor as illegal, while his placement in the van without a seat belt has also been deemed a breach of police procedure.

Police officers involved in the arrest have been charged with multiple felonies, including second degree murder, involuntary manslaughter, manslaughter by vehicle criminal negligence, reckless endangerment and misconduct in office for failure to perform a duty regarding safety of a prisoner and false imprisonment.