Freddie Gray's Family Urges Calm After Mistrial as Protesters Gather

The family of Freddie Gray urged protesters to remain calm in light of the mistrial that was declared in the case against the first police officer charged in connection to his death.

Gray's stepfather thanked the jury for their hard work and tried to spread that message to people in Baltimore who may protest the decision, after the jury could not reach a unanimous decision.

"We are not at all upset with them and neither should the public be upset. They did the best that they could," Richard Shipley said at a press conference this evening.

"We ask the public to remain calm, patient, because we have confidence there will be another trial with a different jury. We are calm, you should be calm too," he said.

Footage from outside the Baltimore court showed demonstrators gathered and a line of sheriff's deputies and other law enforcement formed in front of the Baltimore Circuit court.

The Associated Press reports that at least one protester had been detained by police.

The mayor urged for residents to remain calm and, if they were to protest, that they do so peacefully.

"We have a chance to show the country how to be heard peacefully, respectfully, and effectively," mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake said at a press conference alongside the chief of police. "I know that as a community we are up to the task."

Chief Kevin Davis said that the police are prepared to allow protesters space but also enforce the law.

"Our pledge to the folks of Baltimore is one of public safety," Davis said. "We're here to protect, we're here to serve and we take that responsibility very, very seriously."

The city has been on edge while awaiting for the verdict in the case against police officer William Porter to be handed down. Porter plead not guilty to charges of second-degree assault, involuntary manslaughter, reckless endangerment and misconduct in office, and the jury could not reach a unanimous verdict on any of the charges.