BART cop: Guilty of Involuntary Manslaughter


Johannes Mehserle: Guilty of Involuntary Manslaughter

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(Left) Johannes Mehserle; (right) the scene at the Fruitvale BART station where Oscar Grant was shot by former BART police officer, Mehserle, on New Year's Day 2009. Mehserle testified that he mistakenly pulled out his pistol instead of a stun gun when he shot and killed an unarmed black man who was lying face down on an Oakland train platform.(AP Photo/ Los Angeles County Superior Court)
A Los Angeles jury reached a verdict: BART cop Johannes Mehserle is guilty of involuntary manslaughter. He was convicted of killing Oscar Grant on New Year's Day 2009.
Involuntary manslaughter comes with a 2 - 4 year prison sentence.
Update 4:20: Sentencing will be handed down on August 6.
Outside the LA County Courthouse, a member of the LA Coalition for Justice is giving an angry speech. Among other things, he is calling the verdict a cover up.
Update 4:35: Attorney for Oscar Grant's family says the family is "extremely disappointed" in the "compromised verdict."
Update 4:50: Frank Chu is in Oakland, live at the scene.
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4:54 PM: KRON4 reports: "There are no reports of riots. KRON 4's Christine Connolly at the Fruitvale BART station describes it as very quiet."
Update 4:56: With all due respect to the dearly departed, Rev. Keith Mohammed, who is speaking right now in front of the courtroom, is sure spouting lots of gibberish. He's asking for Mayor Dellums to call in the "federal authorities" for justice. Oy.
Update 5:04: Oscar Grant's mother is very upset. "This battle is not over," she says, while mentioning God, Jesus Christ and "Our Lord and Savior." She also yelled "He was murdered," several times.
Update 5:32: Mark Curry (AKA Hanging With Mr. Cooper) is live on KGO. Also, the scene at 14th and Broadway are getting tense. Except a more heated scene as the night approaches.
Update 5:36: Several members of the crowd are attacking police cars. A mild, but noteworthy, skirmish.
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