Sitting shoulder-to-shoulder on a courtroom bench just in front of the first row of reporters, five of the six officers charged in the Freddie Gray case conversed quietly with each other and their lawyers today.

“That’s Jan Bledsoe, and that guy there is Michael Schatzow,” one attorney said, pointing out the two lead members of the prosecution team to her client, Officer Garrett E. Miller.

Although the defendants were there together (minus one who waived his right to appear, Officer William G. Porter), they will have separate trials beginning November 30, they learned, as Judge Barry G. Williams confirmed a new timeline.

The trials were previously scheduled to begin on October 13, but defense attorneys for Porter requested a delay, saying they need more time to investigate.

Williams today granted their motion for a postponement, in spite of the state’s objection.

“The court finds good cause for postponement in this matter given the information provided,” Williams said.

Porter’s trial is now scheduled to take place on November 30.

Dates Pushed Back

Attired in dark suits or jackets – and in Sgt. Alicia D. White’s case, a charcoal-gray dress – the five officers stood before Williams one by one, as the state requested postponements in each of their trial dates.

The defense in each case objected. But Williams granted the postponements and set the following dates. In addition to Porter’s November 30 date, the other new trial dates are:

• Officer Caesar R. Goodson Jr. – January 6, 2016
• Sgt. Alicia D. White – January 25, 2016
• Officer Garrett E. Miller – February 9, 2016
• Officer Edward M. Nero – February 22, 2016
• Lt. Brian W. Rice – March 9, 2016

Injured in Police Custody

The charges stem from the April 19 death of 25-year-old Gray, following a severe neck injury he suffered during his arrest and transport in a van by police officers.

Protests in Baltimore began as Gray lay in a coma. The protests continued until the day of Gray’s funeral, April 26, when riots, looting and arson broke out, prompting Gov. Larry Hogan to call in the National Guard.

Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake placed the city under a nightly curfew for nearly a week.

The six officers were subsequently charged with various crimes in relation to Gray’s death.

Goodson was charged with depraved heart murder second-degree, Porter and Rice are charged with manslaughter. Nero and Miller face second-degree assault and other charges. Misconduct in office charges have been filed against all six officers.

All the officers have pleaded not guilty.