Mehserle
A racist police officer, or police officer who acts in a cowardly and racist manner. Also, an officer or person of authoritative power who is both racist and incompetent.
The title comes from Johannes Mehserle, a BART police officer who shot and killed Oscar Grant on New Year's Day 2009.
He claimed to have mistaken his gun for his taser when he executed Mr. Grant, who was lying on his stomach with another BART officer holding him down. He claimed Mr. Grant was resisting arrest, which has been a point of contention for a dominant group of Bay Area citizens outraged by the level of police brutality they claimed he displayed.
Mehserle was convicted of involuntary manslaughter with a gun enhancement charge, although many felt he deserved second degree murder.
The US Department of Justice opened a civil rights case and are investigating the incident.
This has sparked debate about the Civil Rights Act and police brutality against people of color.
The title comes from Johannes Mehserle, a BART police officer who shot and killed Oscar Grant on New Year's Day 2009.
He claimed to have mistaken his gun for his taser when he executed Mr. Grant, who was lying on his stomach with another BART officer holding him down. He claimed Mr. Grant was resisting arrest, which has been a point of contention for a dominant group of Bay Area citizens outraged by the level of police brutality they claimed he displayed.
Mehserle was convicted of involuntary manslaughter with a gun enhancement charge, although many felt he deserved second degree murder.
The US Department of Justice opened a civil rights case and are investigating the incident.
This has sparked debate about the Civil Rights Act and police brutality against people of color.
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