Updated 12:29 PM PST, Fri, Jan 8, 2010 You can take the trial out of the Bay Area, but you can't take the Bay Area out of the trial. About 50 protestors, armed with drums and anger, rallied outside the trial of Johannes Mehserle, the former BART officer accused of shooting and killing an unarmed man. "Today we demand justice for all the people that suffer in the hands of the justice," shouted one woman. Protestors brought signs such as "Stop police," "No more stolen lives" and "We are all Oscar Grant. The whole damn system is guilty." Grant, 22, was gunned down on New Year's Day 2009, on a transit platform in the Bay Area. Mehserle's attorney said the officer mistakenly used his gun instead of a Taser. The trial was moved to Southern California because of the publicity surrounding the case. On Friday, a Los Angeles judge ruled no cameras would be allowed in the trial. Mehserle has pleaded not guilty and is free on $3 million bail. this vid shows another danger of Tasers and the ease with which they are used...only he didnt grab his taser....oops.
Don't handguns have to be cocked before they can be fired? I would think that a police officer would notice that if what he thought was a taser didn't work when he pulled the trigger.
Not if its a double-action weapon (pretty much every semiautomatic and many new revolvers). Pulling the trigger on such a gun will cock the hammer and then release it.
I love how the 'open minded' elitists think that the guy is just some...hmm what would the words be oh yeah "jack booted thug' that thinks that it is just all in a days work to take a life. If you and the 'party of compassion' can't see your way to showing some compassion for this officer (the guy that would have chased down the robber of your purse or wallet, the guy who beat you or assaulted your loved one, the guy that may have lost his life to a young man that just wouldn't cooperate) I don't know how you can live with yourselves. Justice indeed needs to be served, now do what you so tirelessly campaign for and show some compassion for this man who will have the haunting memory of ending a young life due to a stupid and tragic mistake.
after watching the video a few times, it seems that the officer is distraught after realizing he has used the wrong weapon. however, just like a soldier is trained to fight on and through emotion and difficulty, so officers are trained as well. he's not about to wail and break down right there. they have a situation, and need to finish their "mission." I have a ton of respect for officers as I would never ever want to do their thankless, as well as my share of complaints towards them (especially here in Chicago - land of the corrupt.) it's interesting that the judge ordered no cameras at the trial. I would think that they could in fact help the officer. ballistics would show the bullet came from his gun. the video could humanize him better and show the entirety of this being an actual mistake. that all being said, I sincerely hope that he does not continue on as an officer. you can't make mistakes like that in the field. ever. there's too much at stake riding on your competency.
apparently: Mehserle plead not guilty to murder charges in June of 2009. the trial was to begin in LA in November of 2009 - site picked for ability to house extensive media coverage. the courts there, however, stated they could not hold the trial for another 6 months to a year due to security issues. so, no trial yet, but it could start as soon as May of this year. knowing the court system and how things move through the criminal / adult court system, don't hold your breath. link to a fantastic article following the shooting and more links on the side for you to follow if you're truly interested. http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/01/30/BABI15KCD5.DTL&type=adfree
update... 2 years...I think it was accident also..but two years is not enough. He was not careful enough..he didnt take enough care..he has life and death in his hands. Not a good message.
im from the oakland area - The protesters are not protesters, they were rioters. So, let me understand this - you want to take your revenge on your community by busting cars and windows and causing damage to others around you to get back? LOL Typical Oakland population right there. Oh and btw for accidental killings; the sentence is usually around 2 years and what seven said - truth right there man.
some of them might truly be protesters that are outraged... but there is always a majority of them that look for any chance to loot..