Oscar Grant, an unarmed African-American, was murdered New Year’s Day 2009 by a former BART officer in Oakland. People close to Oscar's family have been trying to garner the support of the public since January in order to showcase the horrendous acts of the Oakland cops. Familiar happenenings between the black community and city police forces.
The killing was recorded on video by several witnesses. People were outraged because the officer, Johannes Mehserle, who is white, shot his gun into the back of Grant. He went on trial for his actions, and
Prosecutors say Mehserle, 28, deliberately shot his gun into 22 year old Oscar Grant’s back as he attempted to handcuff him. Mehserle claims he believed he was pulling out his taser instead of his firearm.
Mehserle resigned from BART a week after the shooting.
A friend of Grant’s testified he heard Mehserle say that he was going to use his taser on Grant and three other gentlemen. Others testified that Mehserle showed immediate grief after shooting Grant. Prosecutor David Stein said, "He let his aggression dictate his conduct."
A defense attorney told the jury, "He's sick to his stomach, because he has shot a man who did not deserve to be shot."
Mehserle was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter yesterday afternoon. He faces two to four years.
Several members of Oscar Grant’s friends and family have filed multi-million dollar lawsuits against the transit agency.
Although his verdict was unjust to many, it's a shame similiar outrage isn't shown for black on black crime. Riots even broke out in Oakland after yesterday's verdict.
Was justice really served?
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