Judge denies lower bail for ex-BART cop

April 30, 2009
The Associated Press

SAN FRANCISCO—A judge has refused to reduce the bail for a former transit police officer charged with murdering an unarmed man on New Year's Day. Alameda County Superior Court Judge Larry Goodman last week denied Johannes Mehserle's motion to have his bail lowered from $3 million to $100,000. Attorney Michael Rains argued that bail should be reduced because a previous judge "abused his discretion because he was influenced by the public's outrage over this case."

Rains said Thursday that he will likely appeal Goodman's decision.

Despite the ruling, Mehserle remains free after posting the $3 million bail. The former officer has pleaded not guilty to the charges, saying he meant to fire his Taser instead of his gun when he killed Oscar Grant on an Oakland train platform.