mehserle sentencing

Judge Robert Perry is yet to make a conclusion yet in the trial of ex BART policeman Johanne Mehserle, who shot dead 22-year-old Oscar Grant III on the Fruitvale BART platform as he was trying to arrest the man. Sources for the defence say he only intended to shoot the victim, not kill him and he should be sentenced according to it being a tragic accident.

Judge Robert Perry but has made several statements indicating that he will not impose the maximum sentence and might throw out the gun-enhancement charge. Mehserle was convicted of involuntary manslaughter in July in the fatal shooting of 22-year-old Oscar Grant III on the Fruitvale BART platform. Perry said he has "serious concerns" about the gun-enhancement charge. Without it, Mehserle would face the maximum of six years. Perry also chastised Mehserle and Grant supporters as he read excerpts from letters and post cards he received. Perry said he was troubled by the lack of knowledge many people in the community had, in particularly a school principal who said Mehserle should get the maximum sentence because he committed murder.

So a decision is certain to be made soon by the judge who must takes strong cases for the defence into account when deciding the fate of Mehserle.