A BALTIMORE judge refused to dismiss charges against six police officers on Wednesday in connection with the April death in custody of black man Freddie Gray.

Defence lawyers failed to convince circuit judge Barry Williams that alleged misconduct by State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby justified dropping charges of assault and murder.

Mr Williams ruled that Ms Mosby’s public comments on the defendants initial statements were “troubling” but would not prejudice the jury.

Dozens of people demonstrated outside the court during the hearing. One person was arrested.

• An Indian man who was left partially paralysed when he was slammed to the ground by police testified in an Alabama court on Wednesday.

Speaking through an interpreter, Sureshbhai Patel said that officers had swept his legs out from under him as he was out taking a morning stroll in February.

“My two hands, my two legs, they all became cold and numb,” he said.