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80% of black residents surveyed and 33% of white residents already believe Johannes Mehserle is guilty in the case of the New Year's shooting death of Oscar Grant, therefore his attorney Michael Rains is arguing for a change of venue. In papers filed last week, Rains said the trial should be moved out of the Oakland area on account of these racial divisions. Meanwhile, four of the six BART police officers involved in the incident that night have quietly returned to work, while Mehserle and one two other officers remain on paid leave.
Mehserle Wants Change of Venue, Other BART Officers Back at Work
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Looks like those OaklandIST restaurant or whatever people are butthurt about not being blogged about
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Paid leave? No, he quit.
Only 33%? That seems low.
it seems low that the majority of people don't believe he intentionally murdered grant in front of 100 or witnesses, before all the facts have come out during, you know, the trial? seriously?
I'm not agreeing with the 33%, just from comments and other articles I've seen seems like a low number.
I don't care what I believe. I care what the evidence says. Let's find out.
Yeah, lets move the trial to a place where the jury won't understand the racial divisions that inspired the crime. I hear Simi Valley is nice all year 'round.
"the racial divisions that inspired the crime"
Mehserle is white. Grant was black. Are these the sole facts you used to decide that "racial divisions inspired" what happened, or are you basing your statement on something else?
If not, your point of view is the exact reason why there should be a change of venue.
I agree that saying the crime was racially-driven is a bit of a stretch, but that doesn't mean that race has nothing to do with it.
Given the record of police violence against young black men, this change of venue would be an extraordinary slap in the face to a community that has suffered a disproportionate amount of police violence.
Huh? The community has a right to pass judgment?
No, a slap in the face to all involved would be an unfair trial. If the evidence is strong, the guy will get convicted.
Reason enough to move it. The jury is responsible for finding guilt or innocence, not passing judgment on broader societal factors.
I think the crime had more to do with Mehserle being an idiot than with Grant being black.
hahahhahahha REALLY
got it; makes sense. where are those figures coming from, anyway? is there a link to the survey?
heck why even have a trial? let's hang 'em high! yee-haw!!!!
that was supposed to be in reply to lanersg.
so, what rains is saying is he wants an all white jury then, hmm?
if mehserle didn't want a trial in oakland, he shouldn't have shot someone in the back in oakland.