Los Angeles Judge Robert Perry sentenced Johannes Mehserle to two years for involuntary manslaughter, the shortest term allowed by law. He also threw out a gun charge against Mehserle today, due to lack of evidence.
During a trial in July, Mehserle claimed he accidentally killed Grant in January 1st, 2009, when accidentally shot the 22-year-old in the back at Fruitvale Station, by using his service revolver, instead of his taser.
Grant's murder was taped by several witnesses, who used the camera's on their cellphones to capture the horrific shooting, which occurred while Grant was handcuffed and face down on the train station's platform.
During the sentencing hearing today, Grant's family members left the court house in anger and tears, including Sophina Mesa, the mother of Grant's 6-year-old daughter.
According to reports, the U.S. Justice Department, the U.S. Attorney's
"We livin in a country where u kill a cop u get 4EVER," Oakland rapper Mistah Fab tweeted moments after the verdict. "A Cop kill u he get 2yrs wit probation This is Justice huh?… It's unfortunate that N this day n age we still subdued to the injustices that our people fought and died for as if they deaths are in vain."
With time served, Mehserle will spend one year, two months and thirteen days behind bars for killing Oscar Grant.
"Today we had a gross miscarriage of justice.. Judge Robert Perry threw out the gun enhancement clause.. (10yrs) and then gave Johannes Mehserle 2yrs with credit for 146 days with time served," Davey D. wrote on his popular blog, DaveyD.com.
"Football star Plaxico Burris did more time shooting himself than Mehserle," Davey D. said. "Michael Vick did more time than Mehserle…shame on Mehserle. The judge and any police officer who sat back and allowed this to take place without speaking out…today was not a good day..It makes you wonder if there even is a such thing as JUSTICE.. Maybe it doesn’t exist. maybe we been hoodwinked and bamboozled."
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