Article

2010-11-06 -Lurid Crime Tales-

BART Officer Who Killed Unarmed Man Gets 2 Years, Oakland Riots

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Posted by Anonymoose 2010-11-06 09:02|| || Front Page|| [11127 views ] Top

#1 Moose, from your highlights I have a related police procedure question. I confess complete ignorance, so bear with me.

Why would anyone using a firearm shoot in the position shown here? Basically straight down at very close range.

That's why the taser claim makes sense, but if you're that close to a target, don't you forego a firearm and use brute force - hand to hand/taser/billy club/tire iron/whatever is handy?

That's why I never understood the presumed intent here.

Sure, he's responsible for the results of his actions, and sure the "crowd" is entitled to its reactions, but the initial facts just don't quite add up.

Posted by Halliburton - Mysterious Conspiracy Division 2010-11-06 11:43|| 2010-11-06 11:43|| Front Page Top

#2 My impression is that this is an "addle-brained anger response", which means the critical information could be found if the officer was given a blood test right after, which he probably wasn't.

Narrow this down to either alcohol, drugs, or steroids.

I don't believe the "confused gun with Taser" excuse for one minute. Holster, weight, shape, feel, color, are all very different. He even has difficulty drawing his gun from its holster, giving him more time to tell the difference.

So the big questions, found in testimony should be, "Did he appear angry? Did he curse?" If he was in an addle brained anger mode, any weapon would do.

Posted by Anonymoose 2010-11-06 12:27|| 2010-11-06 12:27|| Front Page Top

#3 There you go - that's the insight I lacked. No excuses for this, but a failure beyond this officer given the others present and the obvious melee.

Posted by Halliburton - Mysterious Conspiracy Division 2010-11-06 13:44|| 2010-11-06 13:44|| Front Page Top

#4 Video I mentioned above. I moved it here because it screwed up the formatting above. I apologize -- I'm still not very good at technical things. The reporter's comment about the "two year veteran" is at 2:17.

Posted by trailing wife 2010-11-06 13:47|| 2010-11-06 13:47|| Front Page Top

#5 and the citizens of Oakland are entitled to riot like animals?

Posted by Frank G 2010-11-06 14:31|| 2010-11-06 14:31|| Front Page Top

#6 Certainly cured the "scuffling" and reluctance to be cuffed. Note to other recalcitrants, Keep your mouth SHUT and do what the police tell you to do!

Posted by Besoeker 2010-11-06 14:39|| 2010-11-06 14:39|| Front Page Top

#7 Pretty clear Grant should've done what he was told. Also pretty clear this so-called officer had no business carrying a deadly weapon. In my experience that is the case with too many (not 'most', but still 'too many') police and pseudo-police. Petty people with power is a bad combination.
I wonder how Mehserle will hold up during his remaining months of incarceration - may need solitary in order to survive.
As for the rioters - what kind of drunken fool burns down his own liquor store? Next liquor store will be Korean-owned, and belligerants will be picking out buckshot for a year, if they're lucky.

Posted by Glenmore 2010-11-06 15:57|| 2010-11-06 15:57|| Front Page Top

#8 well someone is about too get paid.

Posted by chris 2010-11-06 18:24|| 2010-11-06 18:24|| Front Page Top

#9 well someone is about too get paid.
Posted by: chris

In Germany it would be the Polezei, in the form of a bonus or paid time off.

Posted by Besoeker 2010-11-06 18:28|| 2010-11-06 18:28|| Front Page Top

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