Johannes Mehserle is a known flight risk. After he was apprehended on a fugitive warrant in Lake Tahoe, NV. -- where he fled during the initial investigation into the murder of Oscar Grant, Judge Morris Jacobson, called Mehserle a "danger to society" with a "character flaw" and a "clear propensity for violence."

Jacobson also voiced his skepticism that Mehserle could be trusted "about any promises he would make to return to this court" if bail was granted. According to Jacobson, the killer is a dangerous liar: "He has a willingness to add to the story, to change the story, to make up something that's not true to avoid consequences."

With all the doubt cast on the quality of Mehserle's character, rumors of possible suicide attempts running rampant, and public anger boiling over the insignificant punishment he received for cold blooded murder, his attorneys feel that justice can only truly be served by one action...requesting bail while appealing the court's involuntary manslaughter conviction.
Los Angeles County court officials told the San Francisco Chronicle on Monday that Johannes Mehserle will appear for a bail hearing on December 3rd, 2010.

It has only been a month since he was charged with involuntary manslaughter for the brutal slaying of unarmed Oscar Grant, and he's eligible for parole in 7 months.



Obviously, that's too much of a price to pay for the insignificant life of Wanda Johnson's black son, and absolutely much too harsh a punishment for the expendable life of Tatianna's black father, and it's a ridiculous penalty for the meaningless life of Bobby Johnson's black nephew, and it's an utter outrage to expect that level of justice for Sophina Mesa's black fiance. Mehserle wants the opportunity to hold his newborn baby while he attempts to appeal the court's decision, and if history is to repeat itself, he will more than likely be home for Christmas.

When Mehserle was released on $3 million bail after he was initially charged with murder, rioters streamed into the streets of Oakland, facing tear gas and nightsticks to protest the decision.

"He would still be in jail if he was black. This is an injustice," a young woman yelled.

I agree with her. This entire case -- from the "unintentional" murder to that farce of trial to that insulting verdict -- has been an injustice. When does it stop? When does the murder of an unarmed African-American man in this country begin to mean something? Why is it that our mothers are the only ones who not only have to fear that our sons may be murdered by senseless peer violence, but potentially by the weapons of the officers sworn to protect them?

We're supposed to be living in a post-racial society. A society where we're judged by the content of our character, and not the color of our skin. Black people are told we need to just "get over it", "move on", "stop whining". Yet, how do you move on from the present? How do we ignore racial prejudices still exist? How can we begin to truly heal from our painful experiences in this country, when judicial equality is always slightly out of reach?

The answer is: We can't, and it's our responsibility not to, as long as our hopes are continuously dashed into pieces, and the blood of our children spills on train platforms, and street corners, and neighborhoods across this country.

"The important thing to remember is that the wheels of justice are now in motion," said Oakland Mayor Ron Dellums during the Oakland riots. "Johannes Mehserle was charged with murder. He will receive due process under the law, and this process will run its course. In the meantime, I am calling for peace in our streets."

This will be the ultimate test. If our judicial system decides that Mehserle -- a proven flight risk, has earned the privilege to dwell comfortably in his home, while Oscar Grant lies in a coffin, the bitter relationship between the African-American community and law enforcement will be permanently damaged. This decision isn't just about Mehserle's freedom, but an entire community's freedom from mistrust and fear.

Hopefully, Oscar Grant and his family will finally get some semblance of peace on December 3rd, because in the last two years they have endured more pain than any family should ever have to experience.