Prosecutor says Mehserle purposely pulled out his gun, killing Grant
By Paul T. Rosynsky
Oakland Tribune
Posted:*06/10/2010 11:05:33 AM PDT
Updated:*06/10/2010 11:15:33 AM PDT
LOS ANGELES — Chaos, distrust and disorder.
That was the theme a prosecutor used Thursday to describe the events that lead to the death of Oscar Grant III at the hands of a BART police officer New Year's Day 2009.
Police aggression and emotions caused the chaos, distrust and disorder and it led to Grant's death by former BART police officer Johannes Mehserle who, Deputy District Attorney David Stein said, purposely pulled out his gun, pointed at the back of Grant and shot the 22-year-old dead.
"The shooting of Oscar Grant was the result of emotions taking over, it was the result of aggression taking over for training and discipline," Stein said during a 95-minute opening statement. "Was the defendant confused? Look at where he is looking. He is looking at what he is doing."
Mehserle is charged with murder for the killing of Grant in what Stein contends was a knowing decision to pull out his gun and shoot Grant in the back while the black man laid on his stomach with his hands behind his back.
Stein focused on the half-dozen videos of the event and new demonstration videos to show a jury that it is very hard for a police officer to mistake his gun for his Taser.
Stein showed the holster of the .40 caliber handgun Mehserle used to kill Grant and he showed the holster of the X26 Taser that was also used that night.
Defense attorney Michael Rains will now begin opening statements.
imo, this is wrong. please voice your opinion.
By Paul T. Rosynsky
Oakland Tribune
Posted:*06/10/2010 11:05:33 AM PDT
Updated:*06/10/2010 11:15:33 AM PDT
LOS ANGELES — Chaos, distrust and disorder.
That was the theme a prosecutor used Thursday to describe the events that lead to the death of Oscar Grant III at the hands of a BART police officer New Year's Day 2009.
Police aggression and emotions caused the chaos, distrust and disorder and it led to Grant's death by former BART police officer Johannes Mehserle who, Deputy District Attorney David Stein said, purposely pulled out his gun, pointed at the back of Grant and shot the 22-year-old dead.
"The shooting of Oscar Grant was the result of emotions taking over, it was the result of aggression taking over for training and discipline," Stein said during a 95-minute opening statement. "Was the defendant confused? Look at where he is looking. He is looking at what he is doing."
Mehserle is charged with murder for the killing of Grant in what Stein contends was a knowing decision to pull out his gun and shoot Grant in the back while the black man laid on his stomach with his hands behind his back.
Stein focused on the half-dozen videos of the event and new demonstration videos to show a jury that it is very hard for a police officer to mistake his gun for his Taser.
Stein showed the holster of the .40 caliber handgun Mehserle used to kill Grant and he showed the holster of the X26 Taser that was also used that night.
Defense attorney Michael Rains will now begin opening statements.
imo, this is wrong. please voice your opinion.