Oscar Grant Case

In the case of Johannes Mehserle shooting Oscar Grant at the Fruitvale Bart station back on New Year's Eve on 2008, Johannes Mehserle was only sentenced to the minimum jail time of 2 years. I thought that this case was not fair at all. Any form of murder should have resulted in at least moderate amount of time of about 8 years. I also thought about how it could have been called involuntary manslaughter when it was called in July.

I thought about how it was unfair and there were two reasons. One reason was the jury. For this case, the trial was supposed to be naturally held in Oakland but they had moved the case to L. A. where it had favored Mehserle's side because the jury consisted mainly of retired police officers. This greatly changes the situation compared to what would have happened if the case would have been tried in Oakland. In Alameda county, Johannes Mehserle had pleaded innocent of first degree murder. If he had been tried in Oakland, it would be considered the highest level of murder. The second reason why it was unfair was because of the sentencing. I wonder why it was considered involuntary manslaughter. Involuntary manslaughter is like crashing into person with a car when the person randomly enters the middle of the street. In this case, Mehserle had shot Oscar Grant when he was already determined to be unarmed and defenseless. There were many people that had recorded. I continue to wonder why it was still considered involuntary manslaughter. There was no reason in which Mehserle needed a taser. Oscar Grant was facing his back towards the officer. I believe that this case should have resulted in at least second degree murder.

I also thought about the scene of the murder. I thought about how Mehserle would pull out the gun instead of the taser. I thought that they would have the proper training and know which weapon is where. I also thought that it was common sense that since a person was already cuffed up, there is not a need to further taser or injure the defenseless person.