The verdict is being handed down this morning in the trial of Officer Edward Nero, one of the six Baltimore City Police officers charged in the death of Freddie Gray. 

Nero was the second accused officer to go on trial, but since he chose to have the judge, and not a jury decide his case, he will be the first officer to get a verdict in his case. 

The trial of the first officer, William Porter, ended in December with a hung jury.

Nero is one of the three officers who participated in Gray's arrest on April 12, of last year.

In this trial, Judge Barry Williams must consider if Freddie Gray’s arrest was legal, and if it is whether Nero’s physical contact with Gray amounts to assault and misconduct. 

The second charge,  reckless endangerment,  and a separate charge of misconduct,  deals with the failure of any officer to put a seat belt on Gray in a police van, and whether that contributed to Gray’s death. 

Prosecutors say Nero violated a police department order that took effect days before Gray's arrest, that required all detainees be placed in a seat belt.

Defense attorneys argued the van driver, Officer Caesar Goodson, was responsible for putting Gray into a seat belt.  Goodson goes on trial in two weeks, facing charges including second degree murder, depraved heart.

If Nero is convicted of all charges, he could be sentenced to more than 15 years in prison, if he is ordered to serve his sentences consecutively.

Many lawyers, who have watched the case believe that prosecutors have not proven their case.

Security is tight both inside and outside the courthouse, with the sheriff's deputies and police trying to make sure any protesters cannot block courthouse entrances.

After Porter's trial ended in December protesters clashed with sheriff's deputies and there were three arrests.  

There were some protests at City Hall afterwards, but there were not the widespread protests, rioting and looting that followed Gray's funeral in April of last year.

Court resumes at 10:30 with a verdict announced after that.