Thursday, June 4, 2009

Transit officer: fellow cop thought man had gun

A Bay Area transit police officer who was on a train station platform when his colleague fatally shot a man says his fellow officer thought the civilian was going for a gun.

Officer Tony Pirone testified Wednesday that Johannes Mehserle (yoh-HAH'-nes MEZ'-ur-lee) looked shocked after shooting 22-year-old Oscar Grant.

Pirone says he heard Mehserle shout that he was going to use his Taser.

Pirone also says he told Mehserle to handcuff Grant after he shot him because he thought Grant had a weapon.

Grant was unarmed.

Mehserle is accused of shooting Grant in the back as he lay face down on a platform early New Year's Day. He has pleaded not guilty, and the court hearing will determine whether he will stand trial for murder.

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