Father sues BART in fatal train station shooting

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Tuesday, September 01, 2009

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By ASSOCIATED PRESS

BART shooting coverage

November 20th, 2009

Murder trial of BART cop moved to LA

November 19th, 2009

Murder trial of BART cop moved to LA

November 18th, 2009

Judge to say where BART shooting trial to be held

October 26th, 2009

Finding spot for BART officer's trial no easy task

October 21st, 2009

Civil trial date set for BART shooting

October 20th, 2009

Civil trial date set for BART shooting

October 17th, 2009

Judge grants change of venue in BART shooting case

October 16th, 2009

Judge grants change of venue in BART shooting case

October 14th, 2009

Oscar Grant's friends sue over treatment after BART shooting

October 9th, 2009

Day 4 for Mehserle change of venue hearing

12:30 p.m.OAKLAND — The father of a man fatally shot by a transit police officer on New Year’s Day is suing the San Francisco Bay area transit agency.

Oscar Grant Jr., who is in prison for murder, filed the civil rights suit Friday in San Francisco federal court, seeking unspecified damages.

Grant’s 22-year-old son, Oscar Grant III, was unarmed when he was shot by former BART Police Officer Johannes Mehserle.

Mehserle -- a graduate of New Technology High School in Napa and the Napa Valley College Police Academy -- is facing a murder charge for Grant’s killing. His attorney says Mehserle meant to fire a stun gun when he instead fired a single shot from his pistol.

The father’s attorney, Panos Lagos, says he hopes people look past his client’s murder conviction to understand there was a close relationship between father and son.

The victim’s mother also has filed a federal civil rights suit.

———

Information from: San Francisco Chronicle

20 comment(s)

Two Cents wrote on Sep 1, 2009 12:39 PM:

" If this isn't telling of the society we live in today.. OMG!
Im sorry, but when you're in prison serving time for murder, somehow I dont think you should have the right to file suit and profit from your son's death.
Unbelieavable... "

napasfinest wrote on Sep 1, 2009 1:06 PM:

" Haha, this has to be a joke right? This whole thing has been incredibly blown out of proportion from the start, and now a murderer wants to sue the police for accidentally shooting his son. Ironic huh? I really hope Mehserle is found not guilty. It would be the only justice in this case. "

vinovalleygirl wrote on Sep 1, 2009 1:12 PM:

" I agree... especially if he is never going to get out. If he wins, I sure hope the money HAS to go to some charity of sorts or something... "

reason-ator wrote on Sep 1, 2009 2:07 PM:

" " The father’s attorney, Panos Lagos, says he hopes people look past his client’s murder conviction..... "

He's hoping the jury can ignore the life that Grant took, but at the same time he's hoping the jury is outraged over the loss of his SON'S life.

It's kinda hard to decide who is more delirious here, Grant or his attorney...... "

Bauhausfan wrote on Sep 1, 2009 2:35 PM:

" Napasfinest - Please explain how someone was even "accidently" killed by the police when they are face down on the ground with an officer already on top of them?

Why was a police officer pulling anything out, yet alone a weapon, when the person was already under complete control?

I wonder how "blown out of proportion" all this would be if it was your son or relative was killed "accidently" like this?

Somehow I doubt you would even remotely be thinking about it in those terms. "

napaoldguy wrote on Sep 1, 2009 2:51 PM:

" only in America "

stealth Ninja wrote on Sep 1, 2009 3:41 PM:

" Isnt that the pot calling the Kettle black? "

UncleStuy wrote on Sep 1, 2009 4:10 PM:

" Two Cents wrote on Sep 1, 2009 12:39 PM:

" If this isn't telling of the society we live in today.. OMG!
Im sorry, but when you're in prison serving time for murder, somehow I dont think you should have the right to file suit and profit from your son's death.
Unbelieavable... "
I agree. If this should get before a jury and if he is award money. I believe the immediate family members should recieve the money that was award to him or given to the State of California for his incarceration as resistution. Like where is he going to spend it ? For food and cigarettes at the Canteen ? "

antipc wrote on Sep 1, 2009 6:26 PM:

" Liberal policies manifesting themselves.

And they tell us there's no slipery slope.

LOL! "

Bianco55 wrote on Sep 1, 2009 8:43 PM:

" If he wins I hope the courts take the money and pays the family that is the victim of the homicide the father that is prison.

This nation is too sue happy and any charges against Johannes needs to be dropped. "

Black n white wrote on Sep 2, 2009 3:49 AM:

" Bauhausfan-I know your question was not directed torward me but perhaps I can answer your question. Grant was not under control when Mehserle drew his firearm (accidentally). Grant had been in a violent confrontation and had his hands under his body where a weapon could easily be concealed. The use of a taser would easily be justified as Grant refused to show the officer his hands.

As far as the whole thing being blown out of proportion you need only look at what Mehserle is charged with, murder. This was an accidental shooting no matter what the media has tried to turn it into. When an accident happens and someone dies it is called manslaughter, not murder. "

PensStanleyCup09 wrote on Sep 2, 2009 8:38 AM:

" Only in the Bay Area!

In other news, cancer stricken Bernie Madoff has started to lobby for universal healthcare! "

bullfrog5 wrote on Sep 2, 2009 9:58 AM:

" If the courts are stupid enough to award Grant money, it should ALL go to the victim's family that he murdered. "

Sassy1 wrote on Sep 2, 2009 10:59 AM:

" Black n white...welll said

If this gets to court at all its WRONG he is in for MURDER and should NOT have any rights. He took someone elses life as the cop did right or wrong for either its is wrong for him to sue, it should never make it to court PERIOD! "

yes wrote on Sep 2, 2009 12:32 PM:

" TO NAPASFINEST- I doubt you would have be thinking the same way if it was your son, brother, husband who was the victim????? Right? "

not a tourist wrote on Sep 2, 2009 12:36 PM:

" napas finest are you kidding me Mehserle shot and killed a un armed man and even if he claims he thought it was his taser grant was already on the ground with other officers on top of him.If Mehserle isnt convicted oakland will burn to the ground in riots, remember what happend april 29 1992 in L.A. after the cops that brutaly beat rodney king were aquited "

Grits wrote on Sep 2, 2009 12:38 PM:

" Good Lord!!!!! It gets crazier every day, doesn't it, folks? "

twocentsworth wrote on Sep 2, 2009 6:29 PM:

" Correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought if you are a convicted felon serving time for committing murder, that you lost your rights? I thought your rights were a privilge not an entitlement. No matter how you look at it, it's a very sad situation. "

antipc wrote on Sep 2, 2009 7:03 PM:

" ACLU = wasted taxpayer $, fewer freedoms, & more criminals on the streets. "

threeeight122 wrote on Sep 3, 2009 1:20 PM:

" not a tourist wrote on Sep 2, 2009 12:36 PM:

"...If Mehserle isnt convicted oakland will burn to the ground in riots, remember what happend april 29 1992 in L.A. after the cops that brutaly beat rodney king were aquited "

==============

are you advocating that Mehserle be thrown in jail to make sure that Oakland doesn't burn down??? that is absolutely ridiculous.

I hope your rights to a fair trial are taken away too, and I hope you go to jail for a crime you didn't commit. "

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