BART cop transported to Bay Area jail, charged with murder

[MrMidwest]

Posted: 1/15/09 at 4:24pm

Johannes Mehserle, the BART cop who shot and killed an unarmed man in Oakland on New Year's Day, sat behind bars in a Bay Area jail on Wednesday night, charged with murder.

Appearing in a Nevada court Wednesday, Mehserle waived extradition and returned to the Bay Area, where he was taken to Santa Rita Jail on the murder charge — a rare filing against a police officer — that was announced by Alameda County District Attorney Tom Orloff.

Mehserle's arrest, however, for the shooting of 22-year-old Oscar Grant III, did little to dampen the outrage in a city already beleaguered with economic troubles and skyrocketing crime.

Ever since Grant's shooting was captured on a cell phone and widely replayed on national television and the Internet, protests have erupted in San Francisco and Oakland, where many residents have had long-running tension with law enforcement.

Wednesday evening, protesters once again took to the streets, in a largely peaceful rally of more than 1,000 that began with a march in downtown Oakland amid a heavy police presence. At first, the protest appeared to be in sharp contrast to the violent demonstration last week that led to the vandalism of dozens of buildings and the arrest of more than 100 people in the city's downtown business district. But as the night wore on, a splintered group of demonstrators began a rampage through downtown, smashing windows at a dozen businesses, vandalizing several cars and forcing police in riot gear to spray tear gas. At least 18 people were arrested, the majority on suspicion of felony vandalism.

Witnesses told authorities that Mehserle fired a shot into Grant's back while Grant was lying facedown on a train platform at the Fruitvale BART station in Oakland. Grant and others had been pulled off a train after reports of fighting, as New Year's Eve revelers headed home after midnight.

New court documents say Grant had his hands behind his back and another officer was kneeling on his neck when he was shot.

The allegations were revealed in an Oakland police officer's request for an arrest warrant. It said it appeared from cell phone video that "Mehserle shot and killed Oscar Grant while Grant was restrained and unarmed."

http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_11455856?source=most_emailed

[Unknown User]

Posted: 1/15/09 at 4:25pm

Arrested in Zephyr Cove on the shores of Lake Tahoe! What a perfectly lovely spot to spend your last days of freedom.

[etoile]

Posted: 1/15/09 at 5:57pm

Wow, it would be interesting to see what the actual charge is.

I could possibly see a far lesser involuntary homicide charge, but I think prosecutors might have an impossible task attempting to prove "intent" for murder. Anyone think a cop starts their shift intending to kill someone that day? Intending to get enveloped in any death, controversy, potential lawsuit? And if another officer truly was kneeling on the victim at the time of the shooting, then that suggest to me that Mehserle unintentionally pulled the trigger. Doubt one officer would risk a potential injury to another officer.

I suspect poor training on the part of the department, especially if another officer was actually kneeling on any suspect's neck. Grant could have just as easily died from position-asphyxiation. Tragic situation for all involved.

[SonofMammaMiaSam]

Posted: 1/15/09 at 5:59pm

I'll never ride BART again.

[FlyingMonkey1223]

Posted: 1/15/09 at 6:14pm

The officer should be held responsible for his senseless, violent action that cost someone his life. Stupid cop, for sure. It was probably an accdient, him thinking it was his taser gun instead of his actual firearm gun...but still he made a stupid move and will probably be charged for manslaughter. However, on a related note, the guy he shot, Oscar Grant, was a piece of scum and it's better that he is not in society right now.

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 1/15/09 at 6:50pm

And you arrived at your informed conclusion that Grant was a "piece of scum" society is better off without HOW exactly, Charlie Brown-lookin' dude with bizarre facial hair?

[FlyingMonkey1223]

Posted: 1/15/09 at 7:10pm

Hmmm...lets see...

Over 12 convictions on his record, one including a violent hate crime against a gay person. Almost a year in prison. Was on his second strike, one more strike and under California law he would have been in prison for life. Was in a gang that terroized people. Was indirectly involved in the murder of a fellow gang member, but got off easy because he left the scene (a party) before it happened, even though he was aware it would be happening. He was a piece of scum. And I like my facial hair, thank you very much.

It was still wrong that he was shot, but I'm tired of seeing these rioters/protesters acting like he was Mother Teresa or just an "average" guy when he was nothing but trouble.

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 1/15/09 at 9:36pm

No, he was not "nothing but trouble." But I'm glad you have the "moral clarity" of a George W. Bush and that you somehow know in your heart of hearts that somebody is either all good or all bad with no hope for redemption or growth or improvement. Perhaps all people with two strikes against them should just be shot while face down on the ground.

[FlyingMonkey1223]

Posted: 1/15/09 at 9:50pm

I think his record speaks for itself as to my "nothing but trouble" statement, and the fact he was being detained with others for fighting/harassing passengers at the BART station. It doesn't make it OK for the officer to have done what he did, but it also is one less criminal in this world. I know it doesn't sound very nice, but it really is the truth. I would hardly claim myself to have "moral clarity" but I surely don't have a criminal record, let alone a criminal record for violence.
Updated On: 1/15/09 at 09:50 PM

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 1/15/09 at 10:09pm

Not very nice? It sounds very Javert. Your moral clarity is deciding on your own that the world is better without somebody who shouldn't have been shot to death. Must be nice to be so sure of yourself.

[nexttoelectric]

Posted: 1/15/09 at 10:17pm

There are lots of people the world who shouldn't be shot to death but if they were I wouldn't be too upset.

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 1/15/09 at 10:22pm

Man.

[nexttoelectric]

Posted: 1/15/09 at 10:29pm

I don't think BoyKing Shrub should be shot to death, but it happened i would not be the least bit saddened.

I don't think Fred Phelps should be shot to death, but if her were I'd probably do a happy dance.

I don't think Bernie Madoff should be shot to death, but if he did I would chuckle at the karmic cycle.


eta there are so many typographical/grammatical errors in that post i don't even know where to begin to correct them so I'll let them be. Updated On: 1/15/09 at 10:29 PM

[antonijan]

Posted: 1/16/09 at 12:54am

Aren't we just a little bit racist?

If Grant looked anywhere like Beckham...would you have a different reaction?



Updated On: 1/17/09 at 12:54 AM