Jury selection begins in trial of former Calf. rail officer charged with killing unarmed man
By APTuesday, June 8, 2010
Jury selection begins in CA train shooting trial
LOS ANGELES — Jury selection has begun in the trial of a white ex-transit officer charged with murdering an unarmed black man on a train station platform in Oakland.
The shooting on New Year’s Day 2009 was captured on video by several bystanders and has sparked racial tensions in Alameda County.
Attorneys began questioning a pool of jurors Tuesday. Opening statements are scheduled Thursday in the case against ex-Bay Area Rapid Transit police officer Johannes Mehserle.
Prospective jurors have filled out a questionnaire that asked, among other things, about their attitudes regarding race.
Mehserle has pleaded not guilty to murdering Oscar Grant. His attorney has said Mehserle accidentally pulled out a handgun instead of his stun gun.
The trial was moved to Los Angeles.
