The six police officers charged in connection with the death of Freddie Gray will face trial in Baltimore.

Baltimore Circuit Court Judge Barry Williams rendered his decision late Thursday, rejecting a motion filed by attorneys for the officers on the grounds they could not receive a fair trial in the city. The Baltimore Sun added the judge likewise indicated it was premature to conclude that any potential jury pool has been tainted given the widespread reporting of the incident.

"The citizens of Baltimore are not monolithic," Williams said in his ruling. "They think for themselves."

The 25-year-old Gray died of a severely injured spinal cord, which attorneys for his family have argued he sustained after being taken into police custody during transport to the station in April. City officials have already reached a $6.4 million settlement with Gray's family, after prosecutors contended officers failed to provide him with proper medical assistance.

Prosecutors have indicated they first plan to try Officer William Porter, who faces the most serious charges of manslaughter, assault, misconduct and reckless endangerment. A tentative trial date has been set for Oct. 13.

Other than death penalty-eligible cases in Maryland, changes of venue in other high-profile cases across the area are rare.

Gray family attorney William "Billy" Murphy Jr. saluted the judge's ruling as a "brave decision." He added, "It is rare that a jurisdiction should be deprived of handling its own criminal business."

Streams of protesters attended Thursday's proceedings and broke out in applause outside the courthouse after the decision was announced.

Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake said she was "confident that the judge has made the right decision" and praised all involved for maintaining peace throughout the day. Just a week earlier, the judge dismissed defense attorney motions to have the case tossed and to force State's Attorney Marilyn Mosby to recuse herself from the case.

Ivan Bates, an attorney for Sgt. Alicia White, argued on behalf of all six officers, insisting city residents were under siege throughout April's unrest, and jurors would feel an obligation to keep the peace by making certain all the officers charged were convicted.