On Sunday June 12th, about 300 protesters held a peaceful gathering in downtown
Oakland as they vented their continued frustration over the shooting and
Mehserle's release.
"The people know it was wrong," said Jabari Shaw, 32, a protester who had also
attended Mehserle's trial. "As much as we want justice, we're still not getting
it."
A judge ruled Friday that Mehserle should be given credit for time served and
good conduct.
The shooting was recorded by bystanders, and video posted online showed the Bay
Area Rapid Transit officer firing a bullet into the back of Grant, 22, as he
lay face down after being pulled off a train, suspected of fighting.
The videos were subsequently used as evidence during Mehserle's murder trial
and posted online, further stoking the racial tensions brought on by the
shooting.
Facing a second-degree murder charge and a maximum 14 years in prison, Mehserle
tearfully testified at his trial that he meant to use his stun gun instead of
his .40-caliber pistol.
Jurors found that while Mehserle didn't mean to kill Grant, his behavior was so
negligent that it was criminal. He received a two-year sentence for involuntary
manslaughter.
In L.A., Grant's uncle, Cephus "Bobby" Johnson, was among those waiting in vain
outside county jail late Sunday to witness Mehserle's release.
"There's much rage in our community," he said. "It's a shame that our children
still have fear from police officers that come into our communities." Johannes
Mehserle managed to slip away from the Los Angeles County's Twin Towers jail
shortly after midnight unsee at 12:01am June 13th.
Our justice system at its finnest, and doing just what it has intended to do
all along. kind of reminds me of Emmett Till.
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