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Did A Cop Affair Spark the Oakland Shooting?

ewiley — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 12:12:56 +0000

The attorney for the family of an unarmed Black California man shot to death by transit police now says that the ordeal never would have occurred if the officers had not been engaged in an affair. In his $50 million wrongful-death lawsuit, filed with the Alameda County Courthouse, Attorney John Burris contends that the two Bay Area Rapid Transit officers who confronted 22-year-old Oscar Grant on the train on New Year’s Day were involved in an “unprofessional relationship.” Burris’ complaint contends that a female officer “got in the face of the young men (suspected of being in the fight) and repeatedly pointed her Taser at them, threatening to tase them in the face.” Read more.

Transit Cop Charged with Murder is Free on Bond

ewiley — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 11:56:39 +0000

The Oakland, Calif., transit officer charged with murder in the shooting death of an unarmed, Black man on New Year’s Day is free after posting a $3 million bond. Read more here.

Feds Try to Calm Tensions in Oakland

ewiley — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 12:44:21 +0000

The feds are hoping to quell tensions in Oakland, Calif., that have been boiling since the New Year’s Day shooting death of a handcuffed Black man by a White transit cop. U.S. Justice Department officials told members of the California Senate and the U.S. Congressional Black Caucus that they will meet with Black leaders, local law enforcement officials and members of the community in an attempt to cool the outrage and curtail future violence. The Justice Department’s Community Relations Service was provided for in the 1964 Civil Rights Act. The officials will report on their findings and provide follow-up as needed.