Johannes Mehserle

With Johannes Mehserle being sentenced very soon, it seems that some citizens are readying themselves for rioting in Los Angeles. The anger is palpable there, with many people showing their frustration by holding up signs, and demonstrating in favor of a stiff sentance for former BART police officer Johannes Mehserle.
With the tension in the air in Los Angeles, the fact that this is a divided city is becoming more obvious. The racially-charged trial was controversial in the fact that it was white police officer, Mehserle, 28,  shooting a young black man, Oscar Grant III.
He was fatally shot on the Fruitvale BART platform by Mehserle. There have been over 1000 letters that have urged the judge to give Mehserle prison time.
The Los Angeles Superior Court Judge to make the sentence is Robert Perry, and he did state today that he was upset with the way both camp’s attempts to get their point across has been executed.
In a statement, Perry says “It’s troubling to this court that the community is … polarized and that is a tragedy is this case.
What troubled me is that this comes from an individual who identifies herself as a school principal,” referring to one of Grant’s supporters who is a school principal who said Mehserle should get the maximum sentence because he committed murder.
The denizens of Los Angeles are preparing for a riot, because the sentance may be very light, according to some, who see this as a cold-blooded murder. Perry said he has “serious concerns” about the gun-enhancement charge.
Without it, Mehserle would face the maximum of six years. The former Bay Area Rapid Transit police officer is said to be calm,  awaiting the sentencing with family and supporters.

Johannes Mehserle