Protesters Are Outside Of Freddie Gray's Trial

On Wednesday, the Baltimore Circuit Court will hear the beginning of the homicide case involving six police officers in the death of Freddie Gray. Gray died April 19 of a spine injury that occurred after he was taken into police custody, according to NBC Washington. Gray's death spurred protests across the city, two of which culminated in violence, looting, and arson. On Wednesday morning, protesters gathered outside of Gray's Baltimore trial hearing to remind the press and the court that they haven't forgotten about Gray's death. Update: On Wednesday morning, Judge Barry Williams refused to dismiss changes against the officers and refrained from asking Marilyn Mosby to recuse herself, as was requested by the defense.

Charges against the six city police officers involved in Gray's death range from second-degree assault to second-degree "depraved-heart" murder, according to NBC Washington. The mostly peaceful protests that turned into riots struck the city so hard in April that a hearing will take place next week to determine whether the trial should be moved outside of Baltimore, according to The Washington Post. Protests quieted down only after State Attorney Marilyn Mosby announced that she would pursue charges against the six police officers, according to BuzzFeed News.

Just after Mosby's announcement, though, her team filed hundreds of pages of legal documents. Motions filed to the Baltimore Circuit Court — described as bitter by BuzzFeed News — sought Mosby's recusal from the case. Whether she should do that, whether the officers should be charged separately, and whether all charges should be dismissed will be the three key issues argued by prosecutors and defense attorneys, according to NBC Washington. Protesters gathered outside the Baltimore court early in the morning to assure that they are paying attention to whether Gray's trial will be truly fair and unbiased. Photos of protesters and spontaneous marches in the streets of Baltimore show that Black Lives Matter supporters aren't going to back down.

At least one protester has been arrested, according to a tweet from Associated Press reporter Brian Witte.

Activist and Baltimore resident Kwame Rose was arrested, according to a tweet from prominent Black Lives Matter protester Netta. She said Rose was hit by a car while protesting in the street, and he was arrested by city police. Police haven't released the reason for Rose's arrest.

After Rose was put into a police van, activist Deray McKesson tweeted that police demanded that everyone disperse or be arrested, including the media. In one video, a police officer can be seen removing and shaking a can of what looks like pepper spray.

Protests have grown considerably both outside of the courthouse and in the surrounding streets, according to WNEW reporter Chuck Carroll.