Bay Area Responds to Mehserle Verdict

Banner at 14th & Broadway Speakout: Oakland Says Guilty!

On Wednesday, July 7, a Los Angeles jury found former BART officer Johannes Mehserle guilty of Involuntary Manslaughter, the minimum conviction they could give, short of acquittal. Mehsrle’s sentence could range from 2-4 years for Involuntary Manslaughter conviction, and if gun enhancements are included, Mehserle could be sentenced to an additional 10 years in prison.

Mehserle’s sentencing hearing was scheduled for August 6, 2010, but his attorney has successfully filed and has been granted a delay. As of early July, no date has yet been set for sentencing.

What is clear is that the people of Califo

rnia and around the nation are not satisfied with the slap on the wrist handed down by the jury. Demonstrations in response to the verdict have been occurring since July 7, from Oakland/SF Bay Area and across California, including in Los Angeles, San Diego, Palo Alto, Santa Cruz and Fresno. Reflecting the national scope and systemic problem of police abuse, demonstrations have also occurred in other states to protest this verdict, from Portland, OR, to Denver, CO, to Minneapolis, MN, and beyond. We will update this site as responses come in.