Johannes Mehserle Cleared of Police Brutality Charges

Free and clear

​Johannes Mehserle, the former BART cop who was convicted of involuntary manslaughter in the emotionally charged shooting death of Oscar Grant, remains free and clear. A San Francisco federal jury rejected separate charges that Mehserle and four other BART officers beat and hog-tied a man at an Oakland BART stop two months before the Grant shooting.

Kenneth Carrethers filed his claim two years ago, seeking $1 million from BART for his injuries. But the jury wasn't buying Carrethers' story. Jurors acquitted the officers, who said they arrested Carrethers after he reportedly called them lazy and walked behind one of the officers with his fist clenched.

The jury gave more credibility to the officers' version of events, explaining that they had followed proper procedures. In the end, jurors awarded nothing to Carrethers, according to media outlets.

Mehserle, who is arguably one of the most controversial names in the Bay Area, is presumably relieved by the verdict. He had only been released from prison five months ago after serving 11 months of his two-year sentence.  Mehserle was released early for good behavior, which further incited protesters who believe the former BART cop wasn't punished enough.

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