Justice with Compassion in Action: Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price Delivers Oscar Grant’s Personal Property to His Mother, Wanda Johnson
February 22, 2024
Oakland, CA—Today, Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price hand delivered two cellphones, the remaining personal property of Oscar Grant, to his mother, Reverend Wanda Johnson, in a demonstration of justice with compassion in action.
“This is a signature day in the history of Alameda County and the Alameda County District Attorney’s office,” said DA Price. “In her own personal quest, Wanda Johnson has consistently asked the Alameda County District Attorney’s office to return her son’s property to her. I have heard that cry over many, many years. Now, as the elected district attorney of this county, I have the honor and the privilege of returning Oscar Grant’s phones to his mother.”
On January 12, 2024, DA Price filed an Ex Parte Motion, requesting a court order authorizing the return and release of the victim Oscar Grant’s phones from evidence to an Inspector with the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office and further release to the victim’s mother, Wanda Johnson. The court granted the motion and ordered the release of Grant’s property.
Oscar Grant was unarmed when he was killed by then-BART Officer Johannes Mehserle, who was among the officers responding to reports of a possible fight on a train. The phones were kept as evidence during Mehserle’s trial. On July 8, 2010, Mehserle was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter and sentenced to two years minus time served.
“I lost Oscar on January 1, 2009,” said Wanda Johnson. “It’s a testament because so many families desire to have their family member’s property, but they have not been granted their request for whatever reason. This is all you have of that loved one, their property because they are no longer here. I thank DA Pamela Price because it didn’t take her long to get in motion to get the phones released.”
Contact: damedia@acgov.org