Sunset Vigil for Oscar Grant and All Police Victims Warns that Justice Is in Danger, 6/1/10: Photos

Earlier in the day, in what was to be the last pre-trial hearing before jury selection was set to begin June 2nd, Judge Perry approved a defense motion to allow video "expert" Michael Schott to offer his interpretation of various videos of the murder. Perry's belief in the value of such testimony stands in stark contrast to that of Alameda Superior Court Judge C. Don Clay who oversaw Mehserle's preliminary hearing. Judge Clay made clear that he could use his own eyes to see the video and did not need an expert to tell him what he saw. Clay also stated at the end of the preliminary hearing that he had "no doubt that Mehserle intended to shoot with his gun and not his taser.”

Along with other recent rulings favorable to the defense such as allowing information from an arrest report of Oscar Grant's to be introduced into the court room -- knowing full well that Mehserle's history as a police officer cannot be brought into the trial due to California's Police Bill of Rights -- Judge Perry appears to be giving Mehserle and Rains virtually every opportunity they have sought to build doubt in jurors' minds. Scott has already angered Oscar Grant's family and friends when he asserted in the pre-trial hearing that Oscar's friend Jackie Bryson struck Mehserle and Oscar Grant assaulted BART officer Tony Pirone before Oscar was shot in the back by Mehserle. This is the testimony Judge Perry finds so compelling and necessary. While attempts to paint the situation at Fruitvale BART early New Year's morning 2009 as dire for BART officers on the platform were shown to be completely untrue during the preliminary hearing, Rains now has new hope to portray Mehserle, Pirone, and the five other BART officers present as well-armed victims.

[Remember Pirone, along with his partner Marysol Domenici, the instigators of the violence on January 1st, 2009 before Mehserle even walked onto the platform, were finally fired by BART after over a year on paid leave. Tony Pirone was fired because his aggressive and racist behavior with Oscar and his friends "isn't accepted," in the words of interim BART Chief Dash Butler. Likewise, Marysol Domenici was fired by BART, no doubt due at least in part to her incredibly perjurious testimony during Mehserle's preliminary hearing about BART officers fearing for their lives and her claim in court that she "wanted to shoot someone that night."]

Only the most ridiculous defense motions have been denied by Perry, such as the request to have police officers serve on the jury (which is contrary to California law, largely at the request of police lobbies themselves) and to call Oscar Grant's family's and friend's private attorney John Burris to testify in the trial.

While newly appointed Alameda County District Attorney Nancy O'Malley has two attorneys and support staff in Los Angeles to pursue the case, and the DA's website states that her office is dedicated to "the vigorous protection of victim’s rights," she has made no statements on behalf of Oscar Grant as she likely would for just about anyone else not killed by police. Tellingly, O'Malley recently admitted to the corporate media to being torn between the desires of the African American community for justice and of police to not be held accountable for their crimes -- “It’s a very difficult situation, all the way around," O'Malley said. As such, her commitment to justice for Oscar Grant is questionable at best. We'll know soon enough.

The trial is currently scheduled to begin with opening statements on June 10th and Judge Perry has declared his intention that it conclude within roughly 16 court days.


Vigil Announcement:
WARNING: JUSTICE FOR OSCAR GRANT IN DANGER!
http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2010/05/25/18648857.php

Day of Verdict Announcement:
Mass Community Gathering at 14th & Broadway in Oakland
http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2010/06/03/18649730.php