Johannes Mehserle

The People vs. BART police

BART Erases Graffiti About Oscar Grant's Killing

By Lauren SmileyIt seems riders' camera phones are BART's second worst nightmare these days. Second, of course, to Johannes Mehserle, the BART cop involved in the shooting death of Oscar Grant III on New Year's Day. BART officials bemoaned in the Chron that the footage captured by passengers of the ... More >>

Grave Robbery in San Francisco: Protesters Evoke Oscar Grant's Bloody Corpse to Flog their Causes in Gaza, Greece, and God Knows What Else

Two protesters, nine photographers. This is a problem. The Prison-Industrial Complex or the Vast Right-Wing Conspiracy or whatever form The Man is assuming these days can rest easy in his bed. That's because the rabble-rousing radical left (aka white kids from the East Bay wearing hankies over their ... More >>

Shoot First: Mehserle Likely Only Bay Area Cop Ever Charged With Murder for On-Duty Killing

Just like Johannes Mehserle, we can't give you a straight answer -- but the former BART police officer appears to be the first Bay Area cop to ever find himself charged with murder following a job-related shooting. Jim Chanin, a veteran Berkeley attorney who has prosecuted more than 20 police shooti ... More >>

S.F. Police Union President: 'I Would Bet My Kids' Lives' Oscar Grant Shooting an Accident

If Gary Delagnes had been the cop working next to Johannes Mehserle when the now-infamous ex-BART policeman shot Oscar Grant, he knows what he would have said: "What the fuck did you just do?"The 30-year cop and president of the San Francisco Police Officer Association said that watching the much-tr ... More >>

Too $hort Speaks at Oakland Oscar Grant Protest

My buddy Jonathan Cunningham attended last night's Oakland protest of the handling of the alleged murder of Oscar Grant by BART policeman Johannes Mehserle and said the cause has pulled in voices beyond the political arena. Too $hort stepped up to the mike and apparentlyencouraged the crowd to stay ... More >>

Disgraced BART Cop Hires Barry Bonds' Lawyer -- But Don't Expect a Legal Home Run

It was only a matter of time before Johannes Mehserle, the ex-BART officer accused of murdering unarmed passenger Oscar Grant, hired Pleasant Hill-based attorney Mike Rains. While the general public probably recognizes Rains primarily for his work representing Barry Bonds, in local legal circles he' ... More >>

Never Mind Oscar Grant: Cell Phone Cameras May Be TERRIBLE for Social Protest Movements

The only aspect of Oscar Grant's death that inspired cheering was the fact that it was caught on a cellphone camera. Bay Area commentators generally heralded this as a new day for the wonders of technology -- which, we were assured, would be socially empowering. "I have to say, I love cell phone ... More >>

Bag the Gag: First Amendment Coalition Joins Defense Attorney in Requesting Nixing of Gag Order in Oscar Grant Case

Now he wants to talk!The California First Amendment Coalition yesterday filed a motion in Oakland Superior Court aimed at rescinding the gag order that currently prevents attorneys in the Oscar Grant case -- People v. Mehserle -- from commenting publicly. In a handful of words, the CFAC feels the pu ... More >>

On the Waterfront: S.F. Longshoremen To Protest Racism, Cops, Racist Cops

Still itching for a fight.No matter what you make of the politics of the hard-bitten types who run the International Longshore and Warehouse Union, you've got to hand it to them for keeping the drum beating. Since the radical left-wing syndicate was born out of the violent San Francisco Maritime Str ... More >>

Oscar Grant Protesters Hope to Shut Down Fruitvale BART Station Next Week

More on the wayA group of East Bay residents protesting BART officials' handling of the shooting death of Oscar Grant on New Year's Day say they plan to shut down the Fruitvale station on Thursday, March 5, during evening rush hour. The effort will mark the first organized attempt by protesters to ... More >>

BART Vigilantes: Protesters Launch 'Tribunal' on Oscar Grant Killing

anyjazz65Justice (or something) is a-comin'Activists upset over authorities' handling of the fatal shooting of Oscar Grant by BART Police Officer Johannes Mehserle on New Year's Day plan to convene an "independent public tribunal" this week to investigate the incident. Handling the tribunal is the ... More >>

Comparing Public's Anguish -- and Reaction -- Regarding Police Murders, Oscar Grant Killing Is Natural, Justified -- and Wrong

As the Bay Area's mood shifts from shock and horror over the senseless weekend murders of four Oakland police officers into a desire for the community to rise up and repudiate this sickening act, we can only measure the moments until some well-meaning soul utters the phrase "a teachable moment." Thi ... More >>

SF Gov InAction: The Budget Still Sucks, But Now I Want to Hug Chris Daly

*You* Again? BART Vigilantes' Latest Scheme to Storm Board Meeting Fizzles.

Goodbye vigilantism, hello public comment​Few causes have had the momentum of the outcry for justice that followed the killing of Oscar Grant. The unarmed, 22-year-old black man was shot to death by then-BART Police Officer Johannes Mehserle (who is white) on a station platform on New Year's Day o ... More >>

It's Your Friday Morning News Quiz!

He's frightfully busy...​Resignations! Condemnations! Tribulations! It's your Friday morning news quiz! 1. SF Weekly broke the story this week that former Supervisor and State Senator Carole Migden did what? A. Ran over more peopleB. Cursed a former staffer out on live televisionC. Opted not to ru ... More >>

Legal Weapon

Don Cameron trains cops in how to use force, and then defends them in court when they're accused of going too far.

SF Weekly Letters

Don Cameron trains cops in how to use force, and then defends them in court when they're accused of going too far.

As Trial Begins, All Quiet on Oscar Grant Protest Front

Not today, anyhow​ Jury selection wrapped up yesterday in the trial of former BART cop Johannes Mehserle, charged in the Jan. 1, 2009 shooting death of 22-year old East Bay man Oscar Grant. Not even that process could proceed without controversy: no black people were selected for the jury, which ... More >>

Judge Dismisses Juror For Sleeping During Oscar Grant Murder Trial

A murder trial is no time for a siesta​Anybody who's ever watched trial proceedings in a stuffy, poorly lit courtroom as 2 p.m. rolls around knows it can be tough to stay awake for the administration of justice. But the nap-inducing tedium of the courtroom is apparently proving to be a serious pro ... More >>

Oscar Grant Trial in the News

photo via Flickr/Thomas Hawk​The trial of BART officer Johannes Mehserle, who is accused of fatally shooting 22-year-old Oscar Grant at a BART station on New Year's Day in 2009, is postponed for a furlough day. While we wait for the case to resume, The Snitch looked at how the media has covered th ... More >>

It's Your Friday Morning News Quiz!

He came, he saw, he tweeted​Dude, I don't even know what happened this week. Do you? Answer the questions correctly, mail us all your answers here, and you'll win a damn prize. Onward! 1. Russian President Dmitry Medvedev lost his Twitter virginity this week in San Francisco. What was the rough tr ... More >>

Former S.F. Police Chief Frank Jordan Doesn't Buy Johannes Mehserle's Story

Johannes Mehserle​Former BART police officer Johannes Mehserle may manage to convince several members of the jury of his peers that he really meant to Tase Oscar Grant when he instead shot him dead on Jan. 1. But, with the defense today resting in Mehserle's high-profile trial, the youthful cop ha ... More >>

Would Manslaughter Conviction in Mehserle Case Stave Off Riot?

​In a massive development in Johannes Mehserle's murder trial, Judge Robert Perry today gave jurors the option of doing more than either convicting the former BART cop of cold-blooded murder or acquitting him outright for shooting dead unarmed passenger Oscar Grant. Perry tossed out the possibilit ... More >>

Cops Weigh in on Johannes Mehserle

Johannes Mehserle​Today, jurors resume deliberations in the case against Johannes Mehserle, deciding whether the former BART cop murdered unarmed rider Oscar Grant, is guilty of manslaughter, or should be outright acquitted. Based on the subsequent reaction of an angry mob, those 12 men and women ... More >>

Who Is 'Oakland Riots'?

​As the jury deliberates the fate of ex-BART cop Johannes Mehserle, and Oakland braces for potentially disastrous consequences, we've got an interesting little story for you. About three weeks ago, a Twitter account called  "oaklandriots" mysteriously popped up and quickly built a following o ... More >>

Johannes Mehserle Jury Reaches Verdict, Announcement Pending

How will Mehserle's day go? ​Jury ready after minimal deliberations. Does this portend an acquittal? The jury of ex-BART cop Johannes Mehserle, accused of murdering unarmed passenger Oscar Grant, has reportedly reached a verdict. It will apparently make its announcement at roughly 4 p.m. Jurors ha ... More >>

Johannes Mehserle Guilty of Involuntary Manslaughter

Involuntary manslaughter for Mehserle​Check back for updatesEx-BART cop Johannes Mehserle has been found guilty of involuntary manslaughter in the shooting death of unarmed BART passenger Oscar Grant. The jury could have convicted Mehserle of either second-degree murder or voluntary manslaughter - ... More >>

Pics From Oscar Grant Demonstration -- and Riot

Thursday's involuntary manslaughter conviction in the Johannes Mehserle trial led to peaceful protests, peaceful posing, not-so-peaceful protests and posing, and, finally, heavy vandalism and looting in city's downtown. Yes, men and women wearing masks of slain Oscar Grant's face were helping themse ... More >>

It's Your Friday Morning News Quiz!

Cops intercept JaMarcus Russell...​You know the drill, friends. Send me all the correct answers here, win a prize. Here you go: 1. Which of these was the statement Bay to Breakers spokesman Sam Singer gave SF Weekly regarding the race's latest announcement that it would no longer tolerate any booz ... More >>

Suspected Looter Leaves Cell Phone in Wrecked Oakland Coffee Shop

Um... Can I have that back, please?​Not since Gizmodo's famed lost iPhone prototype has a drinks patron had greater reason to regret misplacing a telephone. Well, perhaps "patron" is the wrong word. According to the Oakland Tribune, the owner of a ransacked Jitters & Shakes coffee shop wa ... More >>

Mehserle Mea Culpa: Ex-BART Cop's Letter Offers Apology For Shooting Oscar Grant

'I hope the day will come when anger will give way to a dialogue...'​A hand-written, all-caps letter penned by Johannes Mehserle has been released to the media via his lawyer, Michael Rains. In it, the former BART officer offers a long-overdue apology for shooting unarmed rider Oscar Grant in the ... More >>

Pro-Johannes Mehserle Rally Still On For Today

Johannes Mehserle's fan club will rally in Walnut Creek today​Despite legions of Bay Area residents' simultaneously thinking "this will end poorly," the mysterious organizers of today's pro-Johannes Mehserle rally in Walnut Creek are still moving full speed ahead. Demonstrators are scheduled to ra ... More >>

Young Gully and Roach Gigz Take On Oscar Grant Tragedy in 'What If'

​"How would you feel with your hands in cuffs and a clip to your head/ Would you beg to us?" ask By Area rappers Young Gully and Roach Gigz on "What If," a new single/download from Gully's furious and mournful new, Oscar Grant-dedicated album

Johannes Mehserle Sentence: 2 Years

Johannes Mehserle​The good folks who sell plywood and/or glass had this day circled on their calendars months ago. Today Johannes Mehserle, the ex-BART cop convicted of involuntary manslaughter for shooting dead unarmed passenger Oscar Grant, learned how long it would take to repay his debt to soc ... More >>

Johannes Mehserle Sentence 'Sends Wrong Message,' Lawyer Says

​A veteran civil rights attorney who has sued the Oakland and BART Police Departments more times than he can remember lamented ex-BART cop Johannes Mehserle's two-year sentence -- the shortest sentence Judge Robert Perry could have handed down. Jim Chanin has represented more than 500 clients suin ... More >>

New Word Needed For Oscar Grant 'Protesters'

​As all but the most out-to-lunch area residents know, ex-BART cop Johannes Mehserle on Friday received a two-year sentence for shooting unarmed passenger Oscar Grant dead. With the 292 days served Mehserle already has credit for and his presumably good behavior, he could be out in seven months. N ... More >>

Saturday Night: Massive Attack Intensifies the Horrors of Reality at the Greek Theatre

Richard HaickMassive Attack at the Greek Theatre Saturday night​Massive AttackThievery Corporation November 6, 2010 @ The Greek Theatre, Berkeley Better than: Watching CNN. If Massive Attack has a musical formula, it's one that's built around lulling you into a false sense of relaxed security, t ... More >>

Today's Most Popular Stories

​A compilation of the most-viewed stories on Bay Area news sites and blogs at the moment. You're welcome.SF Gate: Columnist Chip Johnson voted for Don Perata, who, he can't believe, lost to Jean Quan in the race to become mayor of Oakland. Quan prevailed after Johnson wrote a week ago that she'd b ... More >>

Johannes Mehserle, BART Cop Convicted in Oscar Grant Shooting, Could Be Released from Jail Next Month

Bad behavior gets you into jail, but good behavior gets you out of jail ... early ​Oakland, prepare for the riots. Only 10 months into his sentence, Johannes Mehserle, the BART cop who was convicted of involuntary manslaughter in the Oscar Grant shooting, could walk free as soon as next month. Med ... More >>

Johannes Mehserle, BART Cop Convicted in Oscar Grant Shooting, to Be Released Next Week

Released for good behavior ​It didn't take long after the news broke that Johannes Mehserle, the former BART cop charged with shooting Oscar Grant, would be released from jail this weekend, for Grant's friends and family to plan a rally. And if history tells us anything, it is that Oakland should ... More >>

Johannes Mehserle Released, Protesters Remain Calm and Cool

Downtown Oakland had a little peace for a change​Johannes Mehserle, the BART cop who shot Oscar Grant to death in 2009, quietly slipped past reporters and protesters as he was released from jail at midnight. And despite high emotions, the protesters in downtown Oakland remained peaceful -- for a c ... More >>

Oscar Grant Supporters Petition Department of Justice to Investigate BART

The fight continues​More than 500 people have signed a petition urging the United States Department of Justice's Civil Rights Division to speed up its investigation of Oscar Grant's death at the Fruitvale BART station in 2009. Last year, before ex-BART cop Johannes Mehserle was convicted of involu ... More >>

BART Chief "Comfortable" With Officer-Involved Shooting

Shooting in San Fran​BART is still reeling from the effects of the Oscar Grant shooting, with emotions resurfacing a few weeks ago when former BART cop Johannes Mehserle was released early from prison. Now the transit agency is finding itself again in an uneasy position after another officer shot ... More >>

Johannes Mehserle Cleared of Police Brutality Charges

Free and clear ​Johannes Mehserle, the former BART cop who was convicted of involuntary manslaughter in the emotionally charged shooting death of Oscar Grant, remains free and clear. A San Francisco federal jury rejected separate charges that Mehserle and four other BART officers beat and hog-tied ... More >>