Johannes Mehserle Gets Minimum Sentence

[Joe Guy]

The events leading up to this story have been a big deal here in the SF Bay Area.

Of course, the riots were predictable, stupid and only continue to help support the idea that people are just looking for a reason to riot and destroy property.

The big story is that the BART officer who was accused of murder got the minimum sentence and will be free within a year.

Does anyone other than the sentencing judge in this case have the ability to form an opinion based on the evidence presented at trial?

Or do you believe that the judge is prejudice against black people, particularly the victim in this case, and that his sentence is racially motivated?

[Lord Jim]

Personally, I probably would have sentenced him to more time, but I have to say that I admire the judge for doing what he considered to be right, despite the fact that he had to know that the decision would bring out a bunch of hell raising goons...

We can not have our legal system responding to the fear of Visigoths....

[dales]

John Burris is looking for a big pay out.

The Grant family is suing BART for millions.

Perhaps if Oscar was home with his family and not raisng hell on BART at the Friutvale station, things might have turned out differntly.

[loCAtek]

My opinion is that was it too light a sentence. While the jury found him only guilty of involuntary manslaughter; they also found Mehserle guilty of a gun enhancement charge. Not only did the judge downgrade Mehserle's involuntary manslaughter sentence as much as possible; he also overturned the gun enhancement verdict. Throughout the incident Mehserle made some very poor decisions, because in his own words, 'he was afraid'. I don't pity him, I disrespect that he's such a bad police officer and don't think that should excuse him from justice.

[Joe Guy]

I don't see how a 'gun enhancement' charge could even be brought against an armed police officer.

I believe the verdict and sentence are appropriate. It's too bad that this story had to become more about race than justice, but sadly, that's the world we live in.

[Gob]

"Gun enhancement", WTF??

[loCAtek]

California’s “gun enhancement” law, California Penal Code Section 12022.53;

(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, any person who, in
the commission of a felony specified in subdivision (a), personally
uses a firearm, shall be punished by an additional and consecutive
term of imprisonment in the state prison for 10 years. The firearm
need not be operable or loaded for this enhancement to apply.

Police officers are not exempt if a firearm is used unlawfully.

[Jarlaxle]

I would agree with the light sentence if and only if it is served in the general population of a maximum-security prison.