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July 9, 2010

Protests Erupt in Oakland After Verdict in Grant Trial
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In California, a former Bay Area police officer has escaped a full
conviction for the 2009 killing of the unarmed African-American
passenger Oscar Grant. On Thursday, the officer, Johannes Mehserle, was
found guilty of involuntary manslaughter but was acquitted on the more
serious charges of second-degree murder and voluntary
manslaughter—both of which carry longer sentences. Videotape of
the killing shows Mehserle shooting Grant in the back while Grant lay
face down on a subway platform. Members of Grant’s family immediately
denounced the verdict. Scores of people were arrested in Oakland last
night.



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