Oscar Grant's Father Sues BART for Son's Death

ABOUT

Posted by Denise Tejada on September 1, 2009 at 12:02pm

photo: Ayesha Walker

A civil suit was filed Friday by the father of BART shooting victim, Oscar Grant. Grant's father, known as Oscar Grant, Jr. (himself the son of an Oscar Grant, Sr.) is currently in prison on a first-degree murder conviction and has been in prison for the duration of his son's life. If Grant, Jr. wins his case, he would collect any monetary damages that could be awarded. But Grant, Jr. isn’t the only one filing a civil suit; other members of Grant’s family have filed for the amount of $50 million. The third civil suit is from Grant's friends—who were arrested and detained the night of the shooting—for the amount of $1.5 million.

“Grant Jr.'s lawsuit claims he was "mentally, and emotionally injured and damaged" as a result of his son's death, suffering a loss of familial relations. The suit names as defendants BART, BART police Chief Gary Gee, Mehserle, and BART police Officers Anthony Pirone and Marysol Domenici.”

Grant, Jr. was convicted in March 1986 at the age of 22, less than a month after his son’s birth. According to Grant, Jr.’s attorney Panos Logos, his son visited him as a minor, but Grant, Jr. hadn’t seen his son in over five years.

This case is striking given the unfortunate connections between the lives of father and son. Grant, Jr. was convicted at the age of 22, the same age his son was killed. He was also convicted a month after the birth of his son. Oscar Grant's death leaves behind a young daughter.

It may sound harsh, but I don’t see how Grant, Jr. could be mentally or emotionally damaged by his son's death when he hadn’t seen his son in over five years. I think this is just a tactic to get some cash from his son's death.

As Oscar Grant's case continues to unfold, it is becoming a symbol for the pursuit of justice. Others like Gary King, Andre Moppin were also killed by police officers, but their investigations are ongoing without a court date set. Grant’s father, however, symbolizes something much different -- taking advantage of a horrific situation -- and that’s the worst part.

Previously:

(3) comments | permalink

Comments

OSCAR GANT JR COUSIN

Submitted by Anonymous on Mon, 03/08/2010 - 18:11.

that my uncle and he did not do that to get no cash for his son death his son use to come see him and then e just stop coming dont think that he did it for the money because the money not going to bring his son back and my uncle did wat he feel wat was right for him and people dont know why my uncle did that and it not for the money he is in prison what he going to do with all that money in prison my uncle love his son and if it wasn't for that police officer my cousin would still be her not not gone.

RIP Oscar Grant!

Submitted by Anonymous on Wed, 09/16/2009 - 19:01.

Denise wrote, "It may sound harsh, but I don’t see how Grant, Jr. could be mentally or emotionally damaged by his son's death when he hadn’t seen his son in over five years. I think this is just a tactic to get some cash from his son's death." - You obviously have never been a mother. A parent's love for their child is indescribable, unconditional, and lasts an eternity. I know, because I am a father. If I were Mr. Grant, I would seek justice first through the criminal court system which will fail for obvious reasons, then I would go after the city for every last penny I could get. This cop is nothing more than a cold-blooded murderer plain and simple and should be treated as such.