The Shadow Reacts to the Mehserle Verdict
As many of you know by now, former Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) police officer Johannes Mehserle was found guilty of Involuntary Manslaughter with enhancements for using a gun. Mehserle is facing 5 to 14 years in prison on all charges when he is sentenced on August 6, 2010.
But The Shadow will give his opinions on this verdict tomorrow.
What we are more concerned about right now is the reaction that is being shown in Oakland, California where BART has its administrative offices and where Oscar Grant -- the unarmed 23-year-old African-American male that Mehserle shot on January 1, 2009 -- was killed (Grant was shot in the Fruitvale section of Oakland).
We are watching reports right now of looting and potential violent riots in downtown Oakland. Despite efforts by us and others to ask for peaceful protests, the exact opposite seems to be happening. We implore everyone in downtown Oakland at this moment to please refrain from further violence. This is not the way to honor Oscar Grant.
We should also report that within the past hour, it has been reported that the U.S. Justice Department and the FBI are beginning independent investigations into this shooting to see if federal charges should be filed against Mehserle. We will keep you apprised on these developments in the days to come.
Mehserle was remanded into police custody after the verdict and is currently in a Los Angeles jail cell tonight. He is scheduled to be sentenced on August 6, 2010.
Again, The Shadow appeals for calm during this process. Nothing can be solved by violence or by destroying the City of Oakland. Think before you act. Nonviolence is the correct response in this situation.
Good night and good luck.
But The Shadow will give his opinions on this verdict tomorrow.
What we are more concerned about right now is the reaction that is being shown in Oakland, California where BART has its administrative offices and where Oscar Grant -- the unarmed 23-year-old African-American male that Mehserle shot on January 1, 2009 -- was killed (Grant was shot in the Fruitvale section of Oakland).
We are watching reports right now of looting and potential violent riots in downtown Oakland. Despite efforts by us and others to ask for peaceful protests, the exact opposite seems to be happening. We implore everyone in downtown Oakland at this moment to please refrain from further violence. This is not the way to honor Oscar Grant.
We should also report that within the past hour, it has been reported that the U.S. Justice Department and the FBI are beginning independent investigations into this shooting to see if federal charges should be filed against Mehserle. We will keep you apprised on these developments in the days to come.
Mehserle was remanded into police custody after the verdict and is currently in a Los Angeles jail cell tonight. He is scheduled to be sentenced on August 6, 2010.
Again, The Shadow appeals for calm during this process. Nothing can be solved by violence or by destroying the City of Oakland. Think before you act. Nonviolence is the correct response in this situation.
Good night and good luck.
posted by The Shadow at 9:33 PM
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