News & Features - Ex-BART cop's trial moved to LA

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Ex-BART cop's trial moved to LA

OAKLAND, Calif. (UPI) -- A judge Thursday ordered the trial of an ex-Oakland transit police officer, charged with murder in the shooting of an unarmed passenger, moved to Los Angeles.

Alameda County Superior Judge Morris Jacobson said former Bay Area Rapid Transit police officer Johannes Mehserle could not get a fair trial in Oakland because of the heavy media coverage, provocative comments made by several public officials and the potential for violent protests, the San Francisco Chronicle reported.

The trial is at least six months away, the judge said.

Mehserle, 27, who is free on bail, is charged in the New Year's Day shooting death of Oscar Grant, 22. Grant, an African-American, was shot in the back while the white BART officer was trying to arrest him after a fight on a train.

The shooting was filmed by other passengers, with footage viewed by millions of people on the Internet and on television.

Mehserle has said he meant to subdue Grant with a stun gun but accidentally used his handgun.

Copyright 2009 by United Press International

This news arrived on: 11/20/2009

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