We’re hearing several Concord Police Officers have been sent to the City of Oakland to assist the Oakland Police and the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office with the riots happening right now in downtown Oakland, near City Hall.
About 800 people have started looting and rioting after former BART Officer Johannes Mehserle was convicted of involuntary manslaughter for killing an unarmed convicted criminal named Oscar Grant on New Year’s Day in 2009.
UPDATE: According to Lt. Garrett Voerge with the Concord Police, 14 Officers from Concord have been sent to Oakland as part of a larger group deployed from the county.
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The SFPD is sending officers as well. As night fall came the true trouble makers ie Black Block have turned violent.
Good luck for a safe night.
I pray that everyone is safe! I also pray that if a police officer needs to pull the trigger, they wont hesitate in fear that there will be repercussion.
Unbelievable people. Now we know where the food nut bombs people went after they left the plaza tonight…
“killing a convicted criminal named Oscar Grant on New Year’s Day in 2009.” Really? how about murdering an unarmed man as he lay handcuffed on his stomach? Highly offensive.
Free Mehserle!!!!!!
on AlCo scanner they did say something about “Contra Costa team” arriving. Didn’t hear where they were being asked to go.
This is just so stupid.
Stacey, he wasn’t convicted of murdering him, so it would be wrong to say he was murdered, because he wasn’t. And what is wrong with saying Grant was a convicted criminal? It’s a fact.
Let me remind us all the police officers called him the N word threw him on the ground handcuffed him and then shot him in the back and murdered the young man. Is this protecting and serving? I suggest we protect ourselves.
Grant WAS a convicted criminal and a thug! It was Grants actions and piss poor decision making that brings us here today
Some POS protester blew his hand off trying to throw an m1000 at the cops…instant justice!
Grant called the cops the n word too
Grant was a thug and a criminal
Free Mehserle!!!!!!!!!!
Uh Grant wasn’t handcuffed
Let’s compromise and say: No one was an angel in this situation, Grant or Mehserle, but riots are completely unnecessary. Counterproductive.
One has to wonder if these are actual protesters or just people out taking advantage of the situation to cause trouble and have ‘fun’.
KTVU just had pictures of 200 various CoCo agencies coming through the tunnel, they had been staged at Martinez.
As for Brian, the trial is over keep your poitical talk out of the blog, this is about officers being sent into help not your personal feelings regarding a court trial with a verdict put forth by a jury. That’s the American way of Law.
God bless Mehserle and his family
LETS HOPE ALL THE OAKLAND OFFICERS ARE SAFE TONIGHT AS WELL AS ALL OF OUR MORE LOCAL CLAYCORD OFFICER WHO WILL BE GOING TO HELP OUT. MOST OF ALL MY HUSBAND
Those people rioting don’t care about the trial. They just want to steal whatever they can get.
If oscar grant was an upstanding citizen, none of this would be happening right now. Some people seem to forget the role he played in this. And to think, he had a kid. What a great role model
I was one of those caught up in the ‘mass exodus’ from Oakland today. Back in 2009, I narrowly missed getting stuck in the area during the rioting. I had just boarded my train when the station was closed. Earlier today, a co-worker saw a bunch of riff-raff hanging out by the Rite-Aid downtown, with a list of stores they were planning to ‘hit’. These people do nothing to make others understand their ‘plight’. Nothing but useless thugs. And the verdict was a fair one. It was obvious that Mehserle did not intend to kill Grant that fateful night. But that does not excuse the fact that as an authority with a gun, he didn’t know how to handle himself under pressure/know the difference between his gun and a taser. We expect better. I’m also tired of Grant becoming a martyr. He was a convicted criminal whose trouble-making led to his death on New Year’s Eve. Did he deserve to die that way? Of course not. But again, he led his life in a way that does not make his end such a surprise. I’m sick of seeing his picture everywhere and even more sickened by the crap in Oakland, where I’ve worked for 13 years. Where was the outrage over the Asian man who was killed after being KO’d by bored black youths, by the way? Where was the Nation of Islam then? Probably pumping their fists behind closed doors, that’s where.
I pray that all the officers working tonight in the Oakland area stay safe.
Stacy….you’re lame! Fact is that the city of Oakland needs officers to be tougher on it’s criminals. Grant didn’t live a life of honesty, honor, or good works. He lived off the backs of tax payers. Worthless!
Brian…..you’re lame! We can’t protect ourselves due to gun control laws. Too bad! Just be thankful that there are men and women out there that are willing to protect you from the thugs.
We need Mehserle on the street..
There they go wasting more of JW’s taxes, just taking reports or something.
Where was the community outrage when four Oakland Police Officers were brutally gunned down by a black man?
Mom (2), I couldn’t agree with you more!
To all the officers out there tonight. Thank you. You will be in my prayers tonight.
Mr Mayor No#8 post is awesome..
well played sir..
Knock some heads blue..
He should have been acquitted. Besides Grant WAS! a punk
Stacey, get your facts straight. He was a POS. He was a convicted criminal!! Did you know he was also carrying a weapon on an early conviction? He is no angel, he is was a $h&^ bag criminal who is lucky he got shot by a BART employee so he can get publicity.
I absolutely cannot believe that I am reading posts that actually say he was a convicted criminal… So does that mean that he deserved to die? I do not know what he was convicted of and I was not at Fruitvale Bart when this happened but the video that I saw of this situation does not show any reason why he should have been killed. He was someone’s son, someone’s father. This whole situation makes me sad. And my exhusband is living proof that an ex-con can change his life around. Not every single person who has been in trouble with the law is always going to be in trouble with the law.
jw is probably one of the idiot protesters
How many did concord send do you know mayor?
I know it sounds silly, but I wish the officers didn’t have to go out there tonight. I am worried that they will be targeted as the enemy. What would happen if we all ignored the protesters? All media left, all police went home and the city turned the lights out. Are we all fanning the fire by putting them on the news, giving them a physical group of officers to fight against in their anger…I know…I’m living in a dreamland.
# 19 I’ll say some prayers for your husband and the rest of those involved. This must be a horrible night for you.
Gotta love his family all speaking out. Where was their support or outrage when their beloved little boy was running around with a gun robbing and assaulting people? They are looking to get paid over a situation that their own little angel caused.
Free Mehserle!
NO!!! He was NOT convicted of murder!!!!!!!! He was, sadly, convicted of involuntary thugslaughter!!!
In the civil trial, the only one who should get any money is Grant’s child. The child deserves to be taken care of even though his/her own father wouldn’t have/wasn’t providing for him/her.
Grant’s own parents did not even parent him properly. However, it is still extremely difficult to lose your child no matter the circumstances. Maybe $200,000 for her.
lets just say he wasnt on that BART train to attend sunday school…he was out looking for trouble,thats what career criminals do,they have a 1 track mind. he was a convicted felon with prior weapons violations. The cop was doing his job,if you have ever been in the middle of a loud group of “them” folks and they keep getting louder and dumber,you to may lose sight of the mission at hand and slip into a tunnel vision,and do as this officer did…he didnt mean to take his life,we know this…its just a case of mistakes. Maybe the thug should have stayed at home and spent time with his daughter and family…AFTER ALL–HE WAS A LOVING FAMILY MAN RIGHT?..
I think the verdict was fair. Mesherle, a trained police officer, screwed up. I believe it was a tragic accident. The Grant family and attorney John Burris couldn’t have been more openly racist in post verdict interviews saying a black man’s life isn’t worth much in court. They made it clear throughout the whole trail that they would settle for nothing less than 1st degree murder. That would mean Mesherle drove to work thinking, ” I want to kill Oscar Grant today”. Mesherle will probably get jail time for his screw up but it was just that, a screw up not murder. The involuntary manslaughter was a reasonable verdict. Meanwhile, opportunistic anarchy groups come from outside the Bay Area and cause most of the trouble. See if they list the names and addresses of who was arrested. It’s a two way street. Would have been nice to see the Oakland community riot when 4 cops were killed.
Stacy is just one of those people who “doesn’t get it”
best thing that ever happened to grant’s daughter was him getting shot that night. She’s now a millionaire.
Please shoot all of the looting riot criminals that act like they are owed something because they make it a race issue. Maybe they should think about what they say and do. Who is in the minority in Oakland anyway? Maybe we should riot over the Grim Sleeper serial killer too. I wonder if everyone would look at the race of the jury in that case. The record is getting old and does not hold water in 2010. We can not justify criminal activity for any reason.
Justice has no color and the system evolves as does our society.
I’m outraged that he didn’t get an acquittal. As a form of protest I have been crossing the crosswalks in downtown Walnut Creek all evening, waiting to start across until the little red hand is flashing.
Justice for Mesherle.
i got one word for PD:
BEAN BAG SHOTGUN, RUBBER BULLETS AND TEAR GAS
these arent protestors, there are career troublemakers
be careful out there men & women in blue!!!!
Some of those that feel he was Grant wasn’t convicted of anything should review the facts. He had a prior arrest for running and resisting arrest. The BART PD had numerous complaints on New Years of a loud group on a train disturbing others and shouting many things. As the officers arrived the tension was already high with Grant and his friends yelling various names at officers. Now I would ask those of you that think you’re “high and mighty” to put yourself in the officers shoes, having someone call you names and throwing thigns at you, spitting in your face, telling you that your worthless how would you react? Officer Mesherle screwed up BIG TIME, he should have been charged, but did he commit murder? NO! Murder would have meant he showed up on the platform saying “OK I am killing someone tonight!” He didn’t plan to do that, part of it can surely be blamed on his training. But, those of you that want to make Grant out to be a poor guy who lost his life at the hands of an evil officer need to get the facts straight.
Looks like most of the claycord.com readers believes Oscar Grant deserved to die. Pathetic.
Who gives a crap that he was “someones son”? And as for a father???? Why wasn’t his ass home with his child that New Years instead of being on BART involved in an altercation????? Other than the Grandfather who seems like a decent man the rest are at best questionable and I would love to see the arrest records on them. I’m sure Oscar was not the only “criminal eliment” in this family.
Did Mehserle screw up??? Yes he did. Will he pay price for that screw up??? Yes he will. Is his life and the life of his family screwed from this day forward??? Yes it is.
As for that jackass Dellums….Federal Civil Rights case???? Give me a freakin break. Dellums is an idiot. Maybe he should pay more attention to Oakland as a whole instead of one thugs death. Why does he not put this much energy when an innocent Black citizen is gunned down by the thugs??? Where was he when the Asian guy was jumped and killed by 2 Black men??? Yes folks Black too can be racist.
I agree with a poster above. Where was the Black communities outrage when Mixon killed 4 cops??? Where was their outrage when Chauncey Bailey was executed by the Bey family and the Nation of Islam????
One last question. Why wasn’t Tony Peroni prosecuted???? He was also involved. Maybe it was easier for BART to let Mehserle take, a virtual rookie to take the fall.
You couldn’t pay me enough to be a Cop as it appears that the criminal eliment has all the rights and most of the sympathy. How jacked up is that. God Bless all those in LE not just tonight but alway
I agree with wow. pathetic and sad.
Wow I can’t believe how many perfect upstanding citizens are on claycord. I am so proud all of you!
I don’t know how all of you people think its ok to shoot someone in the back because of something they had done in their past.
Pathetic really pathetic
@wow I don’t think that’s what people are saying here, you’re misreading the comments. But, to say Grant was innocent in the entire situation is incorrect. Where is the uproar with the over 100 murders last year in Oakland? Most rational thinking people know what Mesherle did was wrong and he should have been charged, but Murder wasn’t the right choice. Part of that blame falls on the DA in AlCo they should have thought out the case before asking for 1st Degree Murder.
So now we’re dealing with this, stores looted, CHP crusier broken window, ABC7 newsvan broken windshield, KGO reporter with a phone stolen from her hand, and who knows how much $$$$ being spent right now to protect the good citizens of Oakland.
The verdict was fair and just. Anybody who believes that he should have been acquitted or found guilty of 2nd degree murder needs to get their heads on straight.
Looks like most of the claycord.com readers believes Oscar Grant did this to himself. Priceless!!!
#46. I think you are mis-reading. I don’t believe anyone believes that Oscar Grant deserved to die. I think that they believe that Officer Mehserle made a tragic mistake which resulted in the death of a young man who had placed himself in a bad situation. Had Grant cooperated, Mehserle would not have had the opportunity to make such a horrific mistake. It is tragic for all parties involved.
#21, I agree with you 100%. And #46, I don’t believe that Grant deserved to die, but I also don’t believe in what is going on now. Because some people are unhappy with the outcome of the trial, Oakland is being ransacked. Why take out “anger” on the business owners downtown? What is the need for smashing windows and stealing? Is it a show of protest? No! This is nothing more than greed. I read that there were two men dressed in business suits waiting for the riots to begin so they could “grab some free stuff.” Selfish bastards!
For those of you who say poor Grant, lets flip the story around and say he killed the officer. Then you would jump on the train and feel bad for the officer. Or what if he killed another gang member in the streets of Oakland, well then you wouldn’t hear about it. But the facts are that he was up to no good, hung out with the wrong crowed and most likely was going to get into more trouble down the road. He is whats wrong with America today and so are people like you, people who put up with this shit. And why is always about race i don’t understand. Also in a way didn’t they get most of what they wanted he is still going to spend some time in jail SORRY ITS NOT LIFE. But of course they just wanted a reason to steal shit. The sad thing is when Mehserle gets out of jail he will be gunned down by the very people he was trying to protect us all from..
yup, opportunists and anarchists just love moments like this. i read the protest started out peaceful… then i bet the outsiders came in and started the riot. happens all the time. i hope the real protestors went home…opd and cpd… you may now start bashing heads GO!
What does it matter what Oscar Grants past was? If he had a clean record would the case or verdict change? I feel like this was a fair verdict, but the “Free Mehserle” chants here is making my stomach turn.
It took Mehserle 4 tries to draw his gun, he told Pirone after he shot Grant that he thought Grant was going for a gun, he was uncooperative with the initial investigation and skipped town. Somewhere in all this he remembered instead he was trying to pull his taser? Yeah right. I’d be very happy with involuntary manslaughter if I were him.
I believe:
Yes, Mehserle screwed up.
Yes, Grant seemed to be a person looking to do harm and cause trouble at every opportunity.
None of the videos we’ve seen on TV show the entire story.
Grant didn’t deserve to die for resisting arrest,
Mehserle didn’t deserve to go to prison for making a stupid mistake.
Very few of the rioters actually cared an ounce about Grant specifically.
Hopefully the case is closed.
Does anyone know how to get video streaming on the internet of whats going on? We don’t have tv and can’t find much on the internet. I also recommend listening to the police blotter that is listed on Claycord. There is a specific one that is broadcasting all riot action.
BART PD screwed up. Poor training, and Meserlie..well any PD or S/O has an employee who all the other officers or Sergeants roll their eyes as he is the “problem employee”. So he grabbed his gun, not his Taser. But what crime did Oscar Grant commit? A drunken jack ass does not deserve to be shot. Bart over-reacted. They should have just “shooed” them along, clearing the platform. No gun, no fight (per the train operator), etc. It would have been a “non event”. But the Bart cops came on and jacked things up! For what? Stupid drunk obnoxious punks from Oakland who were being asses? Still, I asked “what if it were my (white) son who was being an idiot that night”…and what would I say if a rookie Bart cop shot him?
That said, the telling, and sad thing is, that no matter what, the “community” wants blood, and will not accept the jury’s decision. Look at what the typical murderer gets….compare it to this case.
On the one hand, people say “how come the court/system let the guy out after only ..” , but in this case, they say “he should spend the rest of his live in jail”.
The Bart cop has no prior arrest, crime, etc. Apply this standard to the “local African American” who is charged with a similar crime. See? Double standard. Face it .
From the Chronicle
They smashed windows of shops including the trendy Ozumo restaurant, and one building was spray painted with the words “Say no to work. Say yes to looting.”
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/07/08/BAFL1EBKII.DTL&tsp=1
Grant was a convicted piece of crap who woulda met his demise at the hands of another, at some point or another. No doubt. I bet money, there wouldn’t be this uprising if it were a black officer on black “victim”…or white officer on white “victim.” Grant was a victim of himself….good riddance. God Speed to Mehserle and his family…may they find peace, somehow, somewhere.
Where were Burris and the other racists when OJ got away with murdering two innocent white people? That’s right, they only cry racist when it works in their favor! But I’m sure Burris is helping the family of the poor Asian man that was murdered by the two black thugs who killed him because they were bored. That’s right, he’s a racist who hates all races but his own! So does that mean he wears a black hood when he and his buddies get together?
Free Mehserle!!!!!!
Oscars daddy was Parole Agent XYZ. This terrible accident shouldn’t have happened. And I for one do not think by any account that Oscar should have died for past acts known or unknown.
As for Dellums….He should’nt say Fed’s too loudly. Or he might have the FBI or IRS in his office. I guess that would be okay, since he is never there.
All that jury did was weaken law enforcement with their verdict. Most people don’t realize that Tasers save lives. I know of 5-10 incidents in the past 5 years where the cops would have dropped the suspect if they didn’t have Tasers. Don’t think the cops won’t be standing in line to turn them in. Nice job LA Jury. You convict a cop for being inexperienced and making a horrible error and you let OJ off. But the same people who wanted Mehserle convicted also wanted OJ to be acquited. And I’m sure it wasn’t because they thought he was innocent. He has subsequently proven that. Wow, I feel better….
Burris is an a-hole
For a timeline of the night:
http://www.mercurynews.com/bay-area-news/ci_15469932
mmHmm …
http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_15474085
All the puppets did their job tonight during the Oakland riot. Well done puppets, just like what I expected would happen.
Bigsister all the major TV stations do live streaming during newscasts, its hard to watch if your just on dialup.
Oscir Grants was sumbodies cusin. Don’t go around nobody blowing nobody’s horn. Your all morans.
by the time I got over to Oakland all the good Nikes and TVs were gone…..
FREE Mehserle!
The guy made a mistake. A tragic one. BUTTTTTTTTTTTTTT, it was an accident. Hello, these cops have to deal with scetchy, shady thugs day in and day out. Grant was a no good citizen. Loser! God bless Mehserle and his family. I applaud Grants grandfather. Well, said, stop the violence.
I think that the verdict is ok but since from the tape and the cops reaction I completely believe that he thought he was grabbing his taser not his gun. I think a not guilty verdict would have also been ok.
Let’s not forget that Grant was not lying still, he had both alcohol and a powerful drug in his system, he already served TWO prison terms and he was what – 22 years old…
And it wasn’t like Grant was a just an innocent guy standing on a BART train – he had been involved in a fight – where they ran when the police showed up – and then he only came back when the jig was up and then still refused to comply with officers.
Does that warrant him being killed? No
But the officer did not, I believe, intentionally pull a gun and kill him – the background of the BART police and the tasers, etc…. all point to clearly he thought he was pulling his taser to help subdue an person who was not complying with orders.
I think WOW is a POS!!!
I hope mehserle only get probation he didn’t do nothing wrong except help the take a criminal off the streets maybe he should not have shot him but darn
All those other murders that have taken place in Oakland in the past year and a half were blacks and mexicans killing other blacks and mexicans, so they didn’t really happen.
I noticed the looting didn’t really get going until the weekend punks from Danville showed up. Black people of Oakland, does it bother you at all that some cracker trust fund baby from Portland breaking windows and setting fire to stuff in the name of ‘justice for Oscar’ reinforces the negative stereotypes people have about you?
Ok….let me get this right. Some of you are saying he was not a criminal and he was innocent & muder. So lets go start a riot but when that dirtbag killed the 4 police officer that where doing job was that was ok. Maybe all of us should of gone down there and started a riot. Like that old saying YOU LIVE BY THE GUN YOU’LL DIE BY THE GUN. Those you punks don’t give a damn about the Grant. It’s just another reason for them to be mad and riot. As for his kid I do feel bad but what was a father doing away from his kid hanging out late fighting in the first place.
The jury’s decision would have been exactly the same if it was a black cop who shot a white citizen.
83 people arrested.
Cops are ramping up for more violence.
As said on KTVU this morning.
It’s a shame so many lives have been affected by Grant’s death.
Mehserle was only doing then, what officers are doing now, after the trial. They dealing with a bunch of low life, who have no respect for themselves or their families or their community.
No one deserves to be hurt.
Grant’s Mother sounds to me like she could have raised thugs.
And, what’s with Oakland and the Mayor — did all the grownups move out of town and leave?
Looking from afar, it appears that the riots are as exciting to these people as the Olympics are to athletes.
What is happening now is no more than a social event – giving the ”rest of the world” real insight into the mentality of these people. And, they don’t even realize they are not accomplishing anymore than destruction of their community, causing taxes and insurance rates to rise. Someone has to pay for this destruction. And someone is paying the overtime for cops to work round the clock above and beyond their regular shifts.
One word comes to mind: STOOOOOOOPID.
And, then these people wonder why ”the rest of the world” looks down their nose at them. Duh?
I would like to see a posting of those arrested (in Oakland) to see what cities they are from.
FREE MEHSERLE…………………………………………
I feel more for the Mehserle family than I do for Oscar Grant’s family. Mehserle worked for the public’s benefit, made a mistake, and now his life is ruined. Oscar Grant worked for his own criminal benefit, and would’ve ended up in jail (again) or dead given the road he was on.
Problem that most people don’t realize is that the jury is given very specific instructions. Beyond a reasonable doubt. I feel that there is reasonable doubt that he intended to kill Grant. I don’t think there can be any doubt that he killed him by making a mistake. But it wasn’t an “accident.” He was stupid, untrained, and in the heat of the moment he pulled his gun. NOT an accident. But not murder.
The media is feeding the frenzy. If everyone came out saying they expected and were preparing for riots in ANY case you’d have folks taking that opportunity to riot and loot. Like an advertised sale at Kmart, you’re gonna have people show up to do what you expect them to do.
A human being is dead. And someone IS going to jail for it. I think its justice.
Oscar was not handcuffed when he was shot. Had he first not got into the fight to start with, listened to his girlfriend and stayed in the train and once on the ramp did as he was told he would still be alive.
But given his past history his life expectancy on the street or prison would be three years or less. And no one would be given his relatives millions. We would just bury another thug and life goes on.
Oscar was no hero,, he was just another criminal who given the chance may have shot a cop or cops like the other guy that killed four cops a year ago. Where was Burris then?
Mehserle was inexperienced and didn’t heed to his training. Grant should not have been shot, however, Grant is NOT innocent in this like he is being portrayed.
IF Grant behaved himself.. he’d be alive today to cause havoc elsewhere.
Mehserle claimed he was using someone else’s utility belt that day.
IF you aren’t prepared to goto work, don’t.
AND, he should know the difference between a pistol and a taser. Definetely the weight difference.
Mehserle I believe shot grant by accident. However, he should have known better. his actions afterwards showed no remorse, but shock.
He needs to be in prison for minimum 10 yrs w/out parole.
What the family keeps saying he’s a cop. Yes, they are leaving out an important fact: HE WAS A BART COP!
BART cops train with regular cops, but they adhere to BART’s standards.
THe Da only went for the murder charge because of people like Burris adnd to keep the Oakland Ghetto quiet. The DA knew or should have known from the start that this was never a second degree murder case. They put some flunky DA to handle the case knowing that it would not stick. The jury got it right although I do not agree with the gun enhancement as cops carry guns.
I say give him probabtion and tell the FEDS to stay the hell out of it. He was tried and case over. Don’t get your way and go running to the Feds? They didn’t do that to OJ who we all know killed the two.
serious question:
Would the “public” be as passionate and outraged if it had been white-on-white or black-on white? Seems as though it’s not moral outrage against the killing, but rather “race” that’s the issue.
And personally, I really don’t understand why minorities feel they have to riot. It just hurts their cause and credibility. Oh, well, life, so to speak, marches on.
He was not handcuffed!!!!!!!!
For all the support for the police i apprieciate it, but it aint over yet we will see you. when the verdict is read.
Another reason why I thank God for the job that opened up three years ago that enabled me to move out of the cesspool/sewer called California, after enduring almost a decade in P—burg and Drunkord.
I would like to see the sentencing come down as “time served”.
Whoever says justice was not served is just ridiculous. Mehserle got involuntary manslaughter from a jury. How is that not justice? These riots were a bunch of crap. Nothing to do with the situation. Just an excuse. You can’t tell me that Mehserle woke up that morning with the intention of killing a black man. BS.
If grant were from the exact same neighborhood, exact same socioeconomic situation, exact same friends, exact same clothes, exact same attitude, but he were white, none of this would be happening.
Isn’t there inherently something wrong with that?
I say we should get organizers and get a large group of white people to march in the streets of Oakland to protest convicting Mehserle. We could show them how to do it right. It would be great to get thousands out for this.
Anybody up for it?
#88
I agree, I didn’t like the gun enhancement either.
Why did the DA go for murder?
DA is an elected position, is it not?
I always tell my children that everything effects everthing. So they are encouraged to think about what they are doing and who they are with. Had Oscar Grant made better choices none of this would have happened. I too applaud his grandfather. As far as I am concerned Meserhle should be filing a lawsuit against the BART POLICE for the poor training. And I am not a big one on lawsuits. I just feel so bad for that guy and his family.
THANK YOU TO ALL OF THE OFFICERS AND THIER FAMILIES FOR KEEPING ME AND MINE SAFE. I HAVE SO MUCH LOVE AND RESPECT FOR YOU. I also understand that the officers are humans. If it is true that it was known that Meserhle was a green rookie the other officers should have stepped in and his CO needs to be answering as well.
God bless him and his family. Is there some kind of fund for him when he is released?
Dellums needs to go he fuels the fire of the criminal element in Oakland. The good thing is that he is bringing alot of attention on himself and maybe just maybe the stones will be coming back to his glass house.
And most of all I am so sick and tired of the race card. It is bullshit. Criminal behavior is illegal and needs to be dealt with. How sad that race is so often allowed to be used as a smoke screen to divert attention off of the real issue.
Anyone think, if they gave him murder 1, would the riot not have happened?
I saw Grant’s family speaking to their outrage over the sentence and the incident.
I have a question for Grant’s family – where the hell was the outrage over Oscar Grant’s actions that got him sent to Prison on two seperate occasions?
Perhaps if Grant’s family had shown some “outrage” to Oscar himself to get his act together he would still be alive and wouldn’t have been involved in the brawl, while under the influence of booze and Fentanyl, on BART that lead to the final act.
I find the Grant family’s outrage to be on the one hand understandable – but really the Grant’s family outrage is: “A day late and a dollar short”.
Sadly most of this is about Race. It brings up so many questions as some have already said but the Chauncey Bailey murder comes to mind first. There were no big protests after his murder at the hands of YBMB, just a group of fellow media how decided to investigate it further. As for getting “white people” out to protest you might want to watch the news first, Chief Batts said most of those arrested were WHITE and more than likely profesional anarhcists from out of the Oakland area. These people don’t care what the verdict is/was they just wanted to cause problems and incite others to cause harm to Oakland. I found 2 things quite comforting when I watched the news last night, the first was the young Oakland residents yelling at the anarchists “This is our City leave OAKLAND NOW!” Secondly seeing the new SF Police Chief on the steets of Oakland whit his team(s) of officers helping out Oakland.
What we can take away from this I think is seeing how well the various Bay Area agencies worked together to support each other. When the mutal aid request was made; it was on it’s way within minutes. God forbid in the future we have a major earthquake or fire; we can take note all these allied agencies work quite well together to help each other out.
Wow….I feel asleep early last night. When I went to bed there was NO trouble in Oakland. The people on the streets were peaceful.
I wake up this morning to the TV showing smashed windows and such.
But, the media said that they were told most of the arrested people were NOT from Oakland.
It is to bad these people had to get this way.
#96….. That would be grand and I would love to join in on that but if you think about it, It’s not safe! The crazies would emerge and with guns! I know its not good to be scared but I don’t want to lose my life. Ya know! I’m just sayin!
Thank you Concord PD! As if you don’t have your own problems to deal with, you have to go over there. I know the other police officers and most of the citizens of Oakland appreciate it.
#98
Amen to that! Well said!
Ian- Maybe wild celebrating in the streets. Maybe looting would also happen.
# 96……..don’t forget your white sheet.
How on earth does a “Gun Enhancement” charge happen, when a freakin’ on duty officer is suppose to carry a gun. DUMB DUMB DUMB.
Man in tan…..you took the words right out of my mouth
It’s sad to see an officer go to jail for doing his job. There was a huge level of arrogance expressed by the people of Oakland last night about the verdict – similar to the mob of violent drunks Mehserle tried to detain.
It’s unfortunate to see today’s media and politicians continue to degrade safety by advocating criminal rights. How can anyone be safe when officers have to fear jail time for doing their job? I’m glad I’m not a police officer. I cant imagine how hard their jobs must be these days. I greatly appreciate their work, even when I get a speeding ticket, because I know it’s their job and I accept the fact that I am the one doing wrong – unlike the hostile attitudes expressed before Grant was shot.
If “St. Oscar” would have just COMPLIED, this wouldn’t have happened. Or better yet, I keep hearing what a great dad he is, so I dunno, maybe be with your kid on New Year’s Eve?
And who will bet against Holder/DOJ, the very same that decided to not prosecute the thugs with clubs outside a polling place, now prosecuting Mehserle for violating St. Oscar’s “civil rights”?
#96 – Mehserle is in jail until at least August 6th–I believe that is the date of sentencing. Rioting and protesting his conviction sounds good if it could/would change things. It won’t, though, so it’s probably not a good idea. His conviction is what it is. How about sending letters supporting Mehserle to the judge before sentencing? How about showing Mehserle our support by inundating him with letters of support? He has NOTHING to do in jail except THINK, and this would certainly help him pass his horribly lonely time in jail.
Anyone up for it?
Further, does anyone know if a fund has been set up to help Mehserle and his family fiancially?
Great Idea City Girl!!!!
Please Dellums crawl back under your rock and stay there. And wasn’t his son convicted and sent to prsion on drug charges???? Yeah like Dellums is for the average citizen of Oakland. Red Dellums is nothing more than a washed up “brother” of absolutely no moral character.
I hope Red Dellums calls in the Feds and while they are investingating the Mehserle/Grant case also take a look at the crap Dellums has done and continues to do.
Civil Rights????? What about Mehserle’s Civil Rights?????? Grant was nothing more than a two bit punk, and other than the Grandfather that stayed in Oakland the rest of the “tribe” seems beyond Ghetto. God take this family, Dellums and his scumbag family and all the thugs in Oakland, lock them in the Coliseum and blow them to hell.
Yeah Oaktown folks wonder why people look negatively on them……Well they can “thank”people like Oscar Grant and Red Dellums.
City Girl what a great idea! Love to you! I do not even know where to find the addresses can you please advise? Yes he needs to know there are way more supporters than detractors.
103
Open carry guys could join the group. How many thugs would come out with a whole lot of white dudes carrying and clip at hand?
Basically they are cowards unless they are in a mob.
Is there a time that there ever happy. For years and years to come it’s always going to be a racial thing. They act like we owe them something. The jury had there answer. If it was any other race this would not be happening. I say you don’t like the law go back to Africa. I hear they got good tickets for the WORLD CUP SOCCER game. Buy a suit package and recieve a free fly swatter……….
I plan to write a letter to the judge in support of Mehserle too. Does anyone have information on where to send it?
Stacy #4. He wasn’t handcuffed! Next time know your facts before you open your mouth!!
This is gettin kinda ugly.
Ron Dellums hasn’t paid his taxes in over three years and owes the state and U.S. $600,000 in back taxes. I dont think the feds will be listining to him until he pays his bill like the rest of us!!
I think the “riot” is a bit over played. There wasn’t much of a riot at all.
Some windows, some looting, some stuff being tossed around, a small fire, but overall it’s just another week day in Oakland, just concentrated in one spot last night.
Just don’t be in Oakland if the Raiders ever get to another SuperBowl AND lose. Back in early 2000, I had to stay indoors from all the rioting when they lost against the Bucs!
Mr Mayor what about all the other departments from this area that went?:
Martinez Officers, Pleasant Hill Officers, Clayton Officers, Walnut Creek Officers, Contra Costa Deputies.
Concord was far from being the only officers from the area that you cover that went.
Great first we get the affirmative action President. Now any time a white cop pulls his gun on a black guy he’s going to jail. How can a cop who obviously made a mistake get hit with involuntary manslaughter with a gun enhancement Uh hello ???? a) he’s a cop b) cops carry guns
More affirmative action. 91% of blacks think Obummer’s doing a good job 93% of blacks think the verdict is wrong Hello…. Black unemployment is at 23% and a white cop’s going to jail for being white When the black’s can start seeing and not just continue to be blind sheep then and only then will racism end and we will have no need for affirmative action
Let’s hope because the judge took murder1 off the table the poor guy gets time served. Good Lord anyone can see it was an accident
Really interesting to hear Grant’s uncle after it was all over. He talks about the judicial process and how it let them down, it was never fair and it was not going to be fair and action must be taken,BUT don’t do it in the streets BUT they have been wronged and a stand must be made and people must do what they have to, but….not in the….streets. Almost like him egging some on.
You live a violent life your going to die violently….
I watched a lady on tv say that “the killing of our young black men by police has to stop” They are all in denial. Young black men are the ones killing young black men. As for police officers? If an officer is shot, usually it’s by a young black man. If you think that’s not a fact then look through all the news stories on fallen officers and take a look at who killed them. But, the officers aren’t supposed to racially profile?
#124, What the hell are you talking about? I think a little more happened than a gun was pulled on a black guy.
This may have been unintentional, but sometimes unintended actions have very real consequences, and sometimes those consequences don’t appear to be fair. Mehserle screwed up in a big way, and a jury found that his actions met the definition of involuntary manslaughter.
For all you people crying about the conviction, remember it is rare that police are convicted. And for you folks that think that black people don’t have a history with law enforcement doing bad things and not being convicted, just look at the rough riders in Oakland.
I’m not against cops, but the idea that it is acceptable to do nasty things to despicable people doesn’t sit well with me. It is only a matter of time before the definition of despicable people means anyone that doesn’t agree with the goverment.
Im surprised they arent rioting cause Lebron didnt sign with the warriors.
After listening to the mother rant yesterday like it was 1950 in the deep south I can only imagine what racial hatred her son lived with. Kinda sad :{
I just read the handwritten letter from the cop who accidently shot OG wow the last thing he said was “you shot me” How bad must of that sucked for him with all that white hate being shot in the back by a white cop.
Not sure there’s a bigger POS than John Burris. And how ’bout Wanda Johnson, Saint Oscar The Martyred One’s mother…shocker that they have different last names. Anyway, she’s about as stupid as her moron brother. From her statement yesterday, up there with Burris and the thugs in bow ties:
“..as a nation of African-American people, we will continue to fight for our equal rights”
More Black Liberation BS…nope, can’t just be “Americans”. And what are these rights that non-blacks enjoy that blacks do not?
“…you guys will not look at us according to the color or content of our skin”.
Dummy can’t even get probably the most famous MLK quote right.
“…not held the officer accountable the way that he should have been held accountable.”
Doesn’t really flow when you use “accountable” twice in the same sentence, and that doesn’t even speak to the absurdity of the “point” she’s trying to make.
Oh man, please let the judge sentence Mehserle to probation.
I dent read anymore ofthe comments after a certain point because humans make me sick… But Oscar grant was not handcuffed when he was shot. Get your facts right. He was handcuffed After he was shot. I listen to facts and make my opinion based on that, I wish the world would follow suit instead of hearing one thing and jumping on that bandwagon
I’m sorry no kid is up to any good out that late at night and acting tuff, he got what is needed more often to set society in the right direction and understand values of life and respect.
Hope the PD opens fire the next time to eliminate the troule makers, they are nothing but a buch of thugs who think thay can overturn society. We are not a third world yet!
Keep it up PD, maybe they will learn to respect “Law and order and the right of others”. The jungels are not here, respect and you will enjoy life as your family and friends wish too do. No this does not include you Helen rossie and keen.
Free Mehserle. Time served. Doesn’t deserve the gun enhancement. That is silly. He was a cop, of course he had a gun !
#114 & 116 – I will find the mailing info for Johannes Mehserle. I don’t know if he is still in Alameda County jail or if he has been transferred, but either way I will get the information to you.
The watcher. You honestly sound stupid. You say he got what’s needed more often to make society understand values of life and respect?? Umm the cop clearly doesn’t understand that, so why are you sounding like the cop was “respecting values of life”.
And oh by the way , since the cop isn’t admitting he did this to better the world of scum, or because he thought he was doing the right thing, why are we saying like he did? The cop said it was an accident. So This isn’t some righteous cop doing what we all wanna do sometimes. If it was, the cop would be proud to say so.
Your either disgusted at the negligence of the cop and think he deserves a punishment maybe more severe than he got, maybe not; or you think oh well he deserved it anyway so the cop should get a free pass.
I think the cops stupidity and negligence shows that some cops shouldn’t be in the field. which we all know. But since he was, and was so stupid, he should get around 7-10 years. That was if he survives prison and does good, he will get out after maybe the time that he Really was sentenced to. Cuz watch, he will be out Ina year or two
The unfortunate thing here is that the few rebel members of the black community don’t stop to think that they are perpetuating the bias and prejudice that other ethnic groups continue to see regarding the black race. They are not smart enough to realize that looting and vandalizing their own communities does nothing but keep them in the negative eyes of the public. Where are the positive black leaders when peace and calmness is needed. I don’t see Jesse Jackson coming in to quell the anger and violence; he only comes around when he needs to stir the pot for his own benefit.
Where are all of the black sports and entertainment people who could come into the area and bring a calming effect and talk to people? Surprise, surprise, they have long left the ghetto and are making their megga bucks and are no longer concerned about their own people – very sad.
And yes, the same can be said about any other race. It’s very sad when some of the most influential people, no matter what race, do nothing to give back to their community once the big bucks start flowing in.
I lived in So. CA in the 60′s and saw the same sad thing happen with the Watts riots. Have the black people not learned anything since then? I think not.
Fact: Grant was a convicted felon on parol.
Fact: Grant was intoxicated and resisting arrest after causing a physical disturbance on the train.
Fact: Grant was in possession of narcotics and was going to be arrested and sent back to prison.
Fact:Grant was not handcuffed until after he was shot. Had he complied he would have been arrested and sent to jail in peace instead of being shot and undeservedly killed.
Fact: Meserle called in sick that night because he had been up over 24 hours due to his wife giving birth to his child. He was unfit to work and notified his work. He was told that no one get off on new years eve and was ordered to work by his superiors. What other job can order you in to work when you are too sick/unfit to work?
Fact: This is not the first time a cop has fired his gun when he/she thought it was a taser. It is just the first time someone died as a result.
It is unfortunate that the media does not inform the public about the facts and instead feed the ignorance for ratings. Meserle is unfortunately going to pay for his terrible mistake. The Grant family will make a ton of money from the civil suit. I just hope Meserle sues BART for ordering him into work when he was unfit for duty. He has a good case. I just hope he can so that he is able to pay off his debt and care for his family. People forget he has a wife and newborn too.
Mehserle is the messiah!! He did the world a favor!
What is sad is that people have threatened Mehserle’s parents and even his baby. WTF???? Obviously we are dealing with criminals supporting Oscar Grant. I can’t imagine anyone saying that we should kill Mixon’s sister or his many illegitimate kids after he shot 4 Oakland cops. Instead his sister had the gall to try and sue Oakland PD.
“Fact: Grant was in possession of narcotics and was going to be arrested and sent back to prison.”
You don’t see the media say much about this, but it was my understanding that it appeared intended for sales. So he was also dealing crack. I’m not trying to justify shooting him, but I don’t think everyone canonizing him is appropriate either. The anarchists and media are simply using this event to further their own goals. They are using the Oakland community as their tools.
Read the stats on just who the rioters were:
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2010/7/9/883055/-Only-25-Arrested-in-Oakland-Riot-Were-Residents
The Gun Enhancement charge will be appealed and dropped from the charges
I just don’t understand these people. They want justice yet they go out and commit crimes against innocent bystanders and businesses.
“Stacey, get your facts straight. He was a POS. He was a convicted criminal!! Did you know he was also carrying a weapon on an early conviction?”
The San Leandro Cop was only allowed by the Judge to say it was contraband– he was not allowed to say it was a gun.
As the the CC cops– great overtime..that is what it is all about.
mehserle should have been aquitted but im not always on the polices side
alot of times they are wrong but i would like to see any of you crybaby protestors ride bart in oakland at night and see what happens it aint nice
he panicked and shot him but it was an accident LET HIM GO FREE!!!!!!
My issue with the verdict is this:
I have always been on the side of law enforcement, but this is one instance where I find myself on the opposing side.
True, Oscar Grant had been arrested before (but did Bart Police know this at the time?, Doubtful)
Oscar Grant was on his back when he was shot. Even in the Wild West days you didn’t shoot an unarmed man in the back.
Mehserle by his own admission did not want to work that night.
You can disagree with me but any LEO who does not know his taser from his gun..well you know the old saying, He doesn’t know his A$$ from a hole in the ground.
This bothers me the most about Mehserle..He Resigned! rather than answer any questions!
Then he throws his fellow officer (Tony P. ) under the bus by saying he was a hard type of a cop.
I truly think he should have gotten Voluntary Manslaughter if not Second Degree.
No one should Die because they are arrested.
If nothing else comes from this tragedy, A Bad Cop is no longer on the force.
Sandee. Mehserle resigned at the strong request of his lawyer, who by the way he ended up firing because of the horrible advice. Do you think he wanted to quit? A young man early in his career with a wife and newborn. No, he did not want to quit. But would that have stopped the mayor and weak DA from filing charges? Probably not. Mehserle was the one thrown under the bus by the BART PD, and the Mayor of Oakland. BART never should ordered and officer into work when he was admittedly unfit to work. Anyone ever tried to stay awake over 30 hours and perform at a high level in a stressful situation? And the Mayor has no spine. He’s should have taken an objective look at this situation and put on his color blinders. If Mehserle was not white he never would have opened his mouth. He’s more concerned about being labeled a sell out then doing his job.
and stood between his “brothers” and the windows at Foot Locker….they would have cut him down in a heartbeat…
#151
I read your post, and would like to address some of the points you made.
If his attorney gave him terrible advice, then he had every right to change counsel, which he did, the result being a lesser charge.
As for BART, I seen the representative announce at least 3 times that they were awaiting Mehserle to come in and give his version..be it at his lawyers advice or not, he did not show.
Anytime you have an incident on a job, no matter how minor, you have to give an account of your actions. How many people take a lawyer with them to do that?
As for the ‘esteemed’ Mayor of Oakland, we all know what he is. He has absolute zero credibility.
Regarding working 30 hours in a stressful situation: Many hospital employees do that, while making on the spot life threatening decisions.
Mehserle could at anytime, have stepped aside and allowed any one of the numerous officers present to take over.
If you cannot under stress, differentiate between a lethal and non-lethal weapon, then you are not fit to have them. Those items are entrusted to you under the color of the law and you are responsible for how you use them.
Do I think he made a mistake..YES, I do.
But, How many of the mistakes have you made in your life that resulted in another persons death?
sandee,
100% of law enforcement officers will take their lawyer with them before making any statement in that situation. Anytime a death occurs in the line of duty, regardless of the nature, the officer will immediately be represented by a lawyer. The only statement he must provide is information critical to the immediate safety of another person or officer. His account of the event will be documented in his report. The administration can order him/her to provide a statement and in that case he/she would need to provide one, however, in Meserle’s case he was poorly advised to resign in order not to provide a statement, a move not uncommon or unheard of in law enforcement. Due to the political reaction the media and Mayor of Oakland helped create in this unfortunate accident, he took his lawyer advice.
Again, if you are unfit to work you should not be on the job. This night he tried to make that clear but was told he must work. Refusal to comply with an order is grounds for termination. He is a young man with a wife and newborn. Termination for refusing to comply with an order will basically end his career and any chance of getting hired by another agency. He did what all law enforcement personnel do everyday when they are placed into no win situations. They just do the job. His mistake was not something that hasn’t happened before and won’t happen again. This event was politically motivated and he was the scapegoat. Next time you get two things mixed up because of a little stress, think about Meserle. It’s unfortunate Grant didn’t live. He would be facing multiple charges in addition to returning to prison for violating his parol.
Oscar Grant’s previous criminal history is not relevant. It is great to see such an open minded crowd of people. No one deserves to be laid on their stomach and shot. Period. Regardless of race, or anything else. Do you think if I laid someone down on their stomach and shot them in the back for calling me a namem that the police would care (or even ask for that matter) why I did it? No. I see Police Officers discriminate all of the time. They have a hard, dangerous job, but that is a job they choose, and Im sure they have come in contact with much worse “criminals” than Oscar Grant. Rioting is stupid, and violence does not accomplish anything, but a mother lost a son and a daughter lost a father.Bottomline. To insult the family or judge their parenting skills, is ridiculous. This officer screwed up big time, and he has to pay for it, just as any of us would. Why was he attempting to Tase him anyway? Cuz he was trying to move his had. I have seen first hand an officer break someones arm for NOTHING. But it is good to know my communities true colors.
The sad thing is Meserle was punished for doing his job and being honest about a mistake. Had he been a dirty cop all he would have had to do is say that he was facing an increasing unruly crowd, the suspect was actively resisting arrest(which he was) and that Grant was saying that he would kill me (which he did) and was hiding his hands and reaching under his body (which he was) and could have been reaching for a gun, so, in fear for his life and the life of his fellow officers, he shot Grant and placed him into cuffs. Had Meserle been dirty and stated this, this B.S. trial never would have occurred and Grant would just be another stat in the city Oakland’s. But Meserle was not dirty and told the truth about his mistake. It’s B.S. Good job Oakland, you just got rid of one good cop and maybe inspired others to think twice before being honest in this situation.
Well Said SanDee! My thoughts exactly!
#154 and #156
Your right, had Grant lived he would be facing many charges, but the point is: He did Not live.
An arrest is a loss of freedom, not intended to be a loss of life
If you were going to pull a gun on a cop, would you wait until you were on your stomach with so many officers standing over you?
As for Mehserle being a scapegoat: His ‘mistake’ was caught on tape! He had no choice but to ‘own up’.
“The next time you get two things mixed up think of Mehserle”
Like someone who gets drugs and alcohol mixed up and dies or kills someone?
Mehserle should never be given an opportunity to make that same ‘mistake’ twice. He proved himself incapable of handling pressure and the proof is lying in a grave.
Just a few facts:
Fact: Mehserle Was Not an Oakland Cop.
Fact: It was not his Wife, it was his Girlfriend. (At the time of incident)
Fact: She had been placed on Bed Rest, Not in Labor.
Fact: Mehserle will see his child grow-up, Grant will not.
Some people read between the lines and while I Think between them.
#154 and #156
Your right, had Grant lived he would be facing many charges, but the point is: He did Not live.
An arrest is a loss of freedom, not a loss of life
If you were going to pull a gun on a cop, would you wait until you were on your stomach with so many officers standing over you?
As for Mehserle being a scapegoat: His ‘mistake’ was caught on tape! He had no choice but to ‘own up’.
“The next time you get two things mixed up think of Mehserle”
Like someone who gets drugs and alcohol mixed up and dies or kills someone?
Mehserle should never be given an opportunity to make that same ‘mistake’ twice. He proved himself incapable of handling pressure and the proof is lying in a grave.
Just a few facts:
Fact: Mehserle Was Not an Oakland Cop.
Fact: It was not his Wife, it was his Girlfriend. (At the time of incident)
Fact: She had been placed on Bed Rest, Not in Labor.
Fact: Mehserle will see his child grow-up, Grant will not.
Some people read between the lines and while I Think between them.
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