This city will not tolerate this activity,” the Oakland Police Chief was quoted as saying. Several car windows and shops were smashed, goods were stolen and police lines attacked. Up to 1,000 protestors took to the streets and some wore masks with images of Oscar’s face. At least one hundred people were arrested after confrontations with police. When the verdict and sentencing was read, riots took place all over Oakland. “My son was murdered, and the law hasn’t held the officer accountable the way he should be,” Grant’s mother, Wanda Johnson, said. Oscar’s family and supporters were disappointed with the verdict. He was sentenced to two years, which is the minimum for the charge. In the end, Johannes was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter instead of murder. Oscar’s girlfriend Sophina Mesa spoke to him just before hearing the shot: “The killer-cop was a poorly trained rookie he meant to go for his taser he was scared he’s a lone racist it was a terrible, unexplainable mistake.” The police murder, caught on cell phone videos, allowed the police and their supporters to come up with many explanations: Throughout the trial, Johannes claimed that he mistakenly drew his gun out instead of his taser when he shot Oscar. The public and family understandably demanded justice. The trial was moved to Los Angeles due to intense media coverage and racial tensions. Twelve days after the murder, Johannes Mesherle was arrested and charged. With Pirone still on Oscar, Mehserle wrenched his gun from its holster and shot Oscar Grant at close range-in the back. Oscar and his friends were fully in “police control,” not resisting.īut Pirone and Mehserle didn’t stop, their actions escalated. “I have a four-year-old daughter, don’t tase me.” Through this ordeal, witnesses shouted at police officers… Johannes Mehserle straddled Oscar’s back, pulling his arms back. Pirone then pushed Oscar’s face to the pavement, still threatening to tase him. Oscar fell to a sitting position and put his hands up in a submission gesture. When three of Oscar’s other friends got off the train, they too were held against the side of the transportation by Officer Marysol Domenici, who thrust a taser at each one, tapping one between the eyes with it. As the beating continued, more cops came and threatened the surrounding youth. He ordered the two boys off the train.Īs soon as Oscar and his friend stepped off the train, they were assaulted. Pirone began yelling, cursing and banging on the train window, pointing at Oscar and his friend Michael. When four of Oscar’s friends got off the train, Pirone let three of them leave, but grabbed one. The movie was inspired by real events and today, we’re going to give you the 411 on what happened during the real life case of Oscar Grant the man whose life and death became the makings of Fruitvale Station.īay Area Rapid Transit cop Toni Pirone, an ex-marine, was on the platform and immediately started targeting Black and Latino youth after hearing a radio message regarding a nearby fight, although he had no clear description of who was involved. Jordan (below), Melonie Diaz and Octavia Spencer, which will be in theaters July 12. The case inspired the movie Fruitvale Station starring Michael B. Oscar Grant was an unarmed 22-year-old who was fatally shot by authorities at the Fruitvale train station in Oakland on New Year’s Day 2009. Before there was Trayvon, there was a young man named Oscar Grant.
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