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A protester breaks a window at Sears during a demonstration in Oakland, Calif., after a guilty verdict for Johannes Mehserle, Thursday, July 8, 2010. Former San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit police officer Johannes Mehserle was found guilty in Los Angeles for shooting unarmed black man Oscar Grant on New Year's Day 2009 at a BART station in Oakland. (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma) SCROLL DOWN FOR MORE PHOTOS OF PEOPLE BRAZENLY LOOTING BUSINESSES.
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Oakland 2010 riots, looting, after involuntary manslaughter verdict in BART shooting trial (video, photos)
Updated Friday, July 9, 2 a.m.
Oakland Police say 83 people have been arrested following riots that erupted after former BART police officer Johannes Mehserle was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter for shooting Oscar Grant.
Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Robert Perry will have the discretion of sentencing Mehserle anywhere from 2-4 years in prison, with another 3-10 years as part of an enhancement sentence because he used a gun. But it is possible Judge Perry could waive that enhancement at sentencing.
But Judge Perry didn't show any signs of cutting Mehserle any slack. He could have kept Mehserle out on bail until sentencing, but he ordered him to jail immediately. He was handcuffed and led out of court.
After the verdict was announced, Oscar Grant's family spoke out from outside the courthouse to denounce the verdict. They said that Mehserle should have been convicted of murder. Oakland streets erupted into violence as it had in the days following the shooting in January 2009.
Police say as many as 800-1000 people rallied in downtown Oakland after the verdict on Thursday. Several splinter groups ran through the streets of Oakland, setting dumpsters on fire, breaking store windows, and looting.
Vandalized businesses included a Foot Locker store, a jewelry store, a pawn shop, a beauty shop, a Sears store, a Subway sandwich shop, and a Whole Foods store. News crews showed looters rushing into the Foot Locker and rushing out with shoes.
A woman had minor injuries when she was hit by a slow moving police car. A crew from KGO-TV news was attacked. A photographer was robbed, another KGO photographer was punched in the face and the station's news van's glass was broken.
Oakland Mayor Ron Dellums held a press conference and he hinted of a federal prosecution of Mehserle. The US Justice Department has not yet said whether it will take up the case. East Bay Congresswoman Barbara Lee said she has been assured that the Department of Justice will investigate the case.
Mehserle will be sentenced August 6.
SCROLL DOWN FOR MORE PHOTOS OF PEOPLE BRAZENLY LOOTING BUSINESSES.
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This image provided by the Los Angeles County Superior Court shows a cell phone image taken, according to lawyers, by Oscar Grant, of former San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) police officer Johannes Mehserle shortly before Mehserle shot Grant on New Year's Day 2009. Mehserle testified Friday June 25, 2010 that he mistakenly pulled out his pistol instead of a stun gun when he shot and killed an unarmed black man who was lying face down on an Oakland train platform. This photo shows him pointing his taser toward Oscar Grant before he later pulled out his gun and shot him. (AP Photo/ Los Angeles County Superior Court) More photos here.
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This image provided by the Los Angeles County Superior Court shows police at the scene where Oscar Grant was shot by former San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit police officer, Johannes Mehserle on New Year's Day 2009. Mehserle testified Friday June 25, 2010 that he mistakenly pulled out his pistol instead of a stun gun when he shot and killed an unarmed man who was lying face down on an Oakland train platform.(AP Photo/ Los Angeles County Superior Court) MORE PHOTOS HERE
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This artist's sketch shows Johannes Mehserle, a former transit officer charged with the killing of Oscar Grant, testifying during his murder trial Friday June 25, 2010 in Los Angeles. Mehserle testified Friday that he mistakenly pulled out his pistol instead of a stun gun when he shot and killed an unarmed black man who was lying face down on an Oakland train platform last year.(AP Photo/Mona Shafer )
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Comments
It just shows you that some people are still animals.
Seriously, breaking into a Foot Locker?!?!? Those people steal shoes from Foot Locker everyday, they don't even need a reason. You guys are an embarrasment to looters around the world!
T-N-B!
THAT'S RIGHT, ANIMALS
Seems somewhat ironic, the same type of rioting and poor conduct shown after the trial is what put Mr. Grant in a position to be shot. Perhaps the people of Oakland should take a close look at their own behavior before getting upset at the response they receive from it. I don't want to be the one to draw the "color" line but just look at the photos, who is involved? Racism is alive and well... Its just coming from the others side! I think it is sad, not only that the people rioted in Oakland but it has become expected here.
3 to 10 years is some bullshit!!!!!! If I was there I would have looted and smashed some things myself! Not to be racist but had it been the other way around Oscar Gran would have gotten life or something close to it. I hope they rape him in jail !
Oakland Mayor Ron Dellums is a black racist... yes, they do exist. Rather than condem the despicable acts of "his" people in "his" city, he holds a press conference to hint at the federal prosecution of the former cop. What a black terd, he's no better than the fools breaking the windows of the local business and beating up the news crews.
Peaceful tolerant liberals rioting........... again.
can you please tell me how looting and rioting helps anything? It is just an excuse to steal. It makes no other statement other that to tell the world that you are savages.
I want cops to start to riot next time some cop killer gets a slap on the wrist
Snake Plissken needs to make another sequel: Escape From Oakland.
Its too bad nobody shot the looters. 90% of those people could care less about the verdict, it was like a reason to not go to work, steal , vandalize, commit b&e's.
THE monkeys are running wild. how about the cops take out their machine guns and mow the madafakkers down for good. i guarantee yo they won't be rioting again.
machine gun rioters down.
F..k all white people period! That bitch meserle better hope his a..get put in pc cause the wolves ton tear him a new a..hole 4show rape his honkey a.. everyday and his lilly white wife can suck this big black d..k
So you're saying that you are a fairy? LOL
I am a white.I wish I were black I hate my small little penis I hate getting my a.. Kicked by mexican men and Asians being smarter than me dam I hate being a honkey kill whitey
Its sad that at this day in age racism is still a fact and the system is still corrupted by it. People are just angry about the cituation and are just letting their frustrations out.
Well our ancestors from England did mess and invaded foreign Countries so we are just getting a taste of our own medicine. Unfortunately we the new generation have to pay for it. I aint a racism person and believe that the verdict was too light.
Good job people of Oakland you have accomplished nothing!!! All the riot did was put more of you in a situation that Oscar Grant was it. Its really sad that people actually believe rioting does anything but destroy your own city. Like I said Good job people of Oakland for doing nothing.
Well how is it the fault of the store owners whose buildings were looted? What did THEY do wrong? Why are THEY being punished? They will just go to their insurance companies, get compensation and that will then put up their insurance premium. That in turn will cause the store owner to raise his prices and so....the public then has to pay higher prices. Not too bright of the looters if you ask me.
They don't care about prices. They will just wait for some other excuse to loot when they need a new set of kicks or a T.V.
do you know that hair stylists get more hours training than cops. Maybe we should be questioning the system that puts rooky cops out there with so littlwe training. I suspect that Johannes Mehserle probably did reach for his tazer, but under pressure, which BART cops seldon encounter, he perobably did, due to lack of experience and training, reaqch for the wrong thing. A tragic outcome for all.
Are they wrong for looting stores that they will be looking to purchase things from next week... YES. Is it a natural emotion to be highly upset when you feel you are being wronged by a system you have no way of defending yourself from... YES! There are alot of changes that need to be made here ppl, starting from the TOP. Its a chain reaction. And for those of you that have made comments like THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU RIOT... PLEASE! A man was MURDERED because he got into a DRUNK FIGHT! How is that OK??? It doesnt matter what color he is, dont you see that?!
@ Trying to Understand... I can see where you are coming from. and perhaps I could understand that defense, if Oscar hadnt taken a picture of the cop with his taser already pointed at him. that means he put his taser back and grabbed his gun. If BART cops, or any cop for that matter can not handle the pressure, or no the difference betweent pulling the trigger of a taser and a gun, then they should have that power. They have the power to take lives, there is no room for error.
What makes being a thief OK if you are doing it under the cover of a riot ? These thugs that are smashing windows and setaling are just that - thieves, using Oscar Grant as an excuse. I am sure his family would approve !!! ???
you blacks want to riot and destroy where you live ,but i didnt see you riot when oj simpson killed two white people in cold blood so who is racist ? blacks are
Let's be clear that there were rioters IN Oakland. They do not represent us as a population. I know that riots make for flashier news, but I wish that the world could see the whole story.
Out of 800+ peaceful demonstrators, 50-100 splintered off into looting behavior, many peaceful protestors voiced that they should stop. In every situation there are people who will try to take advantage . It was not Oscar Grant's fault he was shot. He was lying face-down with his hands cuffed, he posed no danger to police. It was clear at the demonstrations that the police task force was ready and looking to start a fight. This whole situation is tragic and we need to come together as a community and figure out a way for both police and residents of Oakland to trust each other and further build community.
I'm a proud BLACK man and I hate whites. I hate loking at their stupid faces. I think that they should stay away from Oakland and the surounding areas if you know what's good for you, as there is a lot of racial tention and there could be hate crimes against you pinkys.
@ Trying to Understand... I can see where you are coming from. and perhaps I could understand that defense, if Oscar hadnt taken a picture of the cop with his taser already pointed at him. that means he put his taser back and grabbed his gun. If BART cops, or any cop for that matter can not handle the pressure, or no the difference betweent pulling the trigger of a taser and a gun, then they should have that power. They have the power to take lives, there is no room for error.
Shut up racists. I know you think a pig can do no wrong as long as it's a non white that is being killed. And yeah, I agree, stop looting, pick white owned businesses and boycott them into bankruptcy. Maky sure you are registered to vote and mess with the pig lovers in the primary, then make sure the one who wins loses in the general election. Fight them in their pocketbooks, money is the only thing they care about. They love riots. They start the riots, lie about their actions and get to do more harm to non whites. Cut off that white mans money though and you'll see the tears roll.
To Irrational: First of all, anyone who kills a pig is executed, none has ever gotten off. In fact people have been wrongly executed over some pig getting offed. Secondly, the cops already start the riots. There is no such thing as a peaceful demonstration because the pigs infiltrate and start violence. So, you racists go ahead and whine about some stupid pig that got caught committing his crime on video. In the meantime, I'll celebrate every time 2 steroided pigs shoot each other. The good news is that pigs have the highest suicide rate in the country...that helps a little.
Gus you are a true idiot... sincerely. LOL.
PROUD BLACK MAN THAT HAIGHTS WHITES HUH? WELL IM A PROUD KKK MEMBER, HOW BOUT YOU COME OVER TO OUR NECK OF THE WOODS? IF YOU GOT THE GUTS SPOOK! BUNCH OF DAM MONKIES ON THE LOOSE, DESTROYING THERE OWN CITY! IF THIS HAD BEEN A BLACK COP THAT SHOT A WHITE WE WOULD NOT EVEN BE DISCUSSING THIS TOPIC!!!! ALL THE BLACK COMMUNITY WANTS IS DOUBLE STANDARDS.AND IF YOU DONT GIVE THEM THERE WAY THEY JUMP AROUND LIKE A BUNCH OF GORILLAS AND LOOT AND STEEL FROM THERE OWN KIND, BLACK COMUNITY MY WHITE BUT, YOU FOLKS ARE UN CIVILIZED AND NEED TO GROW UP, AND LETS STOP WITH THE WHOLE BLACK AND WHITE ISSUE WE ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR SOMETHING THAT HAPPEND OVER 200 YEARS AGO!!!! LET IT GO AND MOVE ON FOR GODS SAKE.EVER WONDER WHY BLACK AREAS LOOK SO RUN DOWN ? WELL STOP DESTROYING YOUR COMUNITIES THEN YOU WONT WONDER WHY YOU HAVE NOTHING.AND DONT TELL US WHITES TO STAY OUTA OAKLAND AS WE WILL GO WHERE WE PLEASE AND GOD HELP YOU IF YOU DONT LIKE IT. GRANT SHULDA KEPT HIS BIG BLACK MOUTH SHUT.
Notice who didn't get shot?? The other people who weren't resisting!!! Including one black man!! This wasn't about race... this was about a moron not listening when a cop tells him to put his hands behind his back!
Wake up!!!
To Irrational: First of all, anyone who kills a pig is executed, none has ever gotten off. In fact people have been wrongly executed over some pig getting offed. Secondly, the cops already start the riots. There is no such thing as a peaceful demonstration because the pigs infiltrate and start violence. So, you racists go ahead and whine about some stupid pig that got caught committing his crime on video. In the meantime, I'll celebrate every time 2 steroided pigs shoot each other. The good news is that pigs have the highest suicide rate in the country...that helps a little.
Hey Bob... Your caps lock is on. Oh, by the way, why don't you get a gene test, find out who your great, great grand mammy was and lynch yourself?
Good to see from the posts that it really is all about racism. It's good that the crackers finally have the guts to just admit it. That's why the pig should be executed...he killed for racial reasons.
"Crackers"? Well that's racism there bud.
Yeah "Smartone". It's now a capital offence to talk back to a pig.
Try that nonsense here in the heartland and there will be a lot less low I.Q. thieves and looters. You all have a nice day.
I live in Oakland and I love many things about this city. From what I have seen, many (if not most) of the rioters were NOT from Oakland and were not black, but just agitators taking advantage of the situation. Grant's family and supporters have every right to protest what they believe is unjust; they spoke out against rioting and so did the vast majority of people -- in large part because anyone can see that no good would come of it.
Negroes and "liberal" sum on the loose , what could you except , huh ? :S
Unfortunately , whole of USA is becoming one big lawless jungle . I advise every White person to obtain firearm and learn how to use it .
The guy needed to be shot and killed. So do the gay-assed looters.
go back to the jungle
any excuse to revert back to animal instincts. Try that shit in Redneck America where I live and there will be dead minorities everywhere!
Right now I think that we all need to keep an eye on the government,as they are the real enemy to all of us citizens.We don't need to fight among ourselves,that is what they want,to keep us divided.Look at all the crap going down,ya'll think it just happens?There is a leftist socialist plan at work here and a lot of people are being used to help it along.Just watch what's happening and look beyond it,question it and search for more information about it.Our freedom is at stake,and the other side will do what it takes to take it away.Keep your powder dry.