OAKLAND, Calif. (KCBS) -- OAKLAND, Calif. (KCBS/AP) _ The trial of a former transit officer charged in the killing of an unarmed man will be held in Southern California.
KCBS’ Bob Melrose Reports
Alameda County Superior Court Judge Morris Jacobson ruled Thursday that the murder trial of Johannes Mehserle will be moved to Los Angeles County. San Diego had also been considered, but Jacobson said that there is a larger, untainted jury pool in L.A., with more diversity.
Jacobson's ruling comes after he had determined the trial should be moved out of Alameda County because of extensive media coverage, as well as concerns over shielding jurors and witnesses from any possible civil unrest.
The 27-year-old Mehserle is charged with the shooting of 22-year-old Oscar Grant at a Bay Area Rapid Transit station on New Year's Day.
He has pleaded not guilty in the case.
No date has been set for the trial, though the judge set another hearing for Dec. 15. L.A. courts are so backed up that it could be up to 6 months before a trial begins. San Diego would have likely been able to hold the trial in January or February.
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