LOS ANGELES (AP) — Authorities say a white former San Francisco Bay area transit officer convicted of the fatal shooting of an black unarmed black man has been released from jail after serving one year of a two-year sentence.
Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department spokesman Steve Whitmore says Johannes Mehserle (MEH’-zuhr-lee) was set free early Monday from the county jail where he served his time after his high-profile trial was moved to Southern California.
A judge ruled Friday that Mehserle should be given credit for time served and good conduct.
A jury convicted the ex-Bay Area Rapid Transit officer last year of involuntary manslaughter for killing Oscar Grant on an Oakland train station platform New Year’s Day 2009.
Mehserle testified he meant to use his stun gun instead of his handgun.
