Transit Cop Shooting Verdict

The city of Oakland, california is on edge following a verdict in the racially charged trial of a white police officer who killed an unarmed black man. 

Guilty of involuntary manslaughter is what a Los Angeles jury declared, rejecting the prosecution's argument that Johannes Mehserle committed murder.

Downtown Oakland was the scene of an tense standoff Thursday night as hundreds of demonstrators skirmished with police, damaged businesses and reacted angrily to the verdict in the trial of Johannes Mehserle.

Mehserle is a former police officer for the Bay Area Transit Authority who shot and killed 22-year-old Oscar Grant on a BART train platform on New Year's day, 2009, a shooting that was caught on multiple cell phone cameras. 

Grant's family called it murder. Mehserle said it was an accident because he meant to shoot his taser. 

After less than seven hours of deliberations, a jury in Los Angeles decided it was involuntary manslaughter.

Grant’s mother, Wanda Johnson, said "my son was murdered, and the law has not held the officer accountable."

Grant’s Uncle, Cephus Johnson, said "we as a family have been slapped in the face by this system that has denied us the right to true justice."

Oakland erupted in riots when the shooting initially happened, and the trial only brought racial tensions higher.

This time, the city was prepared. And despite numerous arrests, the protests have remained mostly peaceful.

Okaland Mayor Ron Dellums said "in this community, we say we put we put our foot down and we operate in a matter that's respectful and dignified."

Mehserle cried in apparent relief as the verdict came back not guilty for second degree murder. But he could face up to 14 years in prison when he is sentenced next month.