Feds May Prosecute Mehserle on Civil Rights Charges

By: Katharine Mieszkowski

Two hours after an L.A. jury delivered an involuntary manslaughter verdict in the trial of former BART officer Johannes Mehserle, the U.S. Department of Justice signaled that it may pursue a federal prosecution in the case. Alejandro Miyar, a spokesman for the DOJ, issued the following statement: 

"The Justice Department has been closely monitoring the state's investigation and prosecution. The Civil Rights Division, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, and the FBI have an open investigation into the fatal shooting and, at the conclusion of the state prosecution, will conduct an independent review of the facts and circumstances to determine whether the evidence warrants federal prosecution. The department's Community Relations Service will continue to work with community groups and local law enforcement officials to address concerns associated with this matter and other concerns raised in the past."