Watch CBS News

Mehserle Breaks Down On Witness Stand During Testimony Of Oscar Grant's Death In Civil Case

SAN FRANCISCO (CBS/AP) -- A former Northern California transit officer has broken down and cried on the witness stand while describing how he shot and killed a man on a train station platform more than five years ago.

Johannes Mehserle testified Friday in federal court in San Francisco that he meant to use his Taser rather than his gun to subdue Oscar Grant on New Year's Day in 2009.

Mehserle is testifying in a civil rights lawsuit filed by Grant's father against Mehserle, the Bay Area Rapid Transit agency and other defendants.

Mehserle cried when he recalled seeing a bullet hole in Grant's back and realizing he had shot the suspect. Mehserle was convicted of involuntary manslaughter and served a year in prison.

Grant's father is seeking unspecified damages.

© Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.