OAKLAND AND SAN FRANCISCO — A former transit police officer seen on video shooting an unarmed man in the back has been charged with murder and could face up to life in prison in a racially tinged case that has sparked outrage and street protests in Oakland.
Johannes Mehserle was arrested Tuesday night in Zephyr Cove, Nev., nearly a week after resigning from the Bay Area Rapid Transit District police force in the wake of the New Year's Day shooting death of Oscar J. Grant III, authorities said Wednesday.
"At this point, what I feel the evidence indicates is an unlawful killing done by an intentional act," Alameda County Dist. Atty. Tom Orloff said Wednesday in announcing the charges.
Legal experts said it was rare for an officer to be charged with murder in connection with an on-duty shooting, and that convictions are difficult.
Mehserle's attorney, Christopher Miller, said he expected that his client would eventually be cleared of the charges arising from "that chaotic night."
Mehserle "was a fine young officer with an excellent work history," Miller said at a Sacramento news conference, adding that "this case is not just about a video."
The shooting of Grant, a 22-year-old African American, by the 27-year-old white officer sparked a protest a week ago that ended in more than 100 arrests, and scores of damaged buildings and torched cars in downtown Oakland.
The city girded for the possibility of more violence during a demonstration Wednesday. Many employers sent workers home early to ease traffic expected from the 4 p.m. protest and also because "there is a degree of uncertainty," Oakland Mayor Ron Dellums said.
Despite concerns, the protest was mostly peaceful but there were scattered reports of violence late Wednesday night.
Hundreds of people gathered at City Hall and marched to the Alameda County Courthouse, shouting, "We will march, we will chant, until there's justice for Oscar Grant!" and "I am Oscar Grant!" Organizers also called for Orloff's resignation. Police in riot gear were out in force.
Addressing the group on Oak Street between the courthouse and the county administration building, Grant's grandfather rejoiced that "they got the man who killed my grandson." Oscar Grant Sr. also beseeched the crowd to "keep peace."
