Trial of Policeman Involved in Freddie Gray's Death Begins

A Baltimore judge is facing complications in selecting a jury for the criminal trial of the first of six police officers involved in the death of Freddy Gray seven months ago because most of the people being interviewed either know of the incident or of the US$6.4-million settlement reached with the victim's family, according to news reports Monday.

In the meantime, people began to gather outside the courtroom where jury interviews are taking place as they closely observe the developments.

IN DEPTH: #RiseUpOctober

"The broad sentiment is that people want to see convictions out of this trial and they fear there will be more unrest if that doesn't pan out," NPR reported.

William Porter and the five other officers involved in Gray’s unjustified death pleaded not guilty, which has prompted city officials to order police to prepare for any unrest in case Porter is acquitted of manslaughter, second-degree assault and other charges.

We stand today w the family & loved ones calling for justice for #FreddieGray as Officer Porter faces day 1 in trial pic.twitter.com/Dtl238NFLd

— Justice League NYC (@NYjusticeleague) November 30, 2015

Jury selection for Freddie Gray case starts today.

— DC Maryland Virginia (@DMVFollowers) November 30, 2015

Let the character assassination of #FreddieGray begin... https://t.co/25zXQ78z11

— Atlanta Blackstar (@ATLBlackStar) November 24, 2015

“I think there are significant challenges to getting a conviction,” said David Jaros, associate professor of law at the University of Baltimore.

The judge in charge of the trial against Porter announced the trial would end no later than Dec. 17. He quizzed about 79 potential jurors, but more than half—whom were Black—said they had heard of the case. More than half of the people being interviewed, said they had been victims of a crime or incidents with police.

Defense has said it doesn't want to raise much about #FreddieGray's past, but does want to raise Porter's prior knowledge of Gray.

— Kevin Rector (@RectorSun) November 24, 2015

Judge Williams also granted the prosecution motion to prevent "irrelevant information" about #FreddieGray's past -- but didn't define that.

— Kevin Rector (@RectorSun) November 24, 2015

Gray's death sparked an uprising in Baltimore as well as a national debate about racial policing and police brutality. The six officers involved in Gray's death were charged on May 1, a few days after the city's biggest uprising in decades.

Judge rules on motions in first #FreddieGray trial pic.twitter.com/xZZjJln7Bi

— BuzzFeed News (@BuzzFeedNews) November 24, 2015

“To the people of Baltimore and the demonstrators across America, I heard your call for ‘no justice, no peace,’ ” said Baltimore's chief prosecutor, Marilyn Mosby after announcing the charges against the police officers involved in Gray's death from spinal injuries.

The Baltimore Sun reported that, "According to charging documents, Porter was present when Gray said he couldn't breathe. Porter told police investigators he informed the van's driver that Gray was in medical distress, though also wondered if he was faking it. Prosecutors say they are trying Porter first because he is a 'material witness' against at least two other officers.”

WATCH: US Protest as Baltimore Police Hearings Begin