On October 16th, Superior Court Judge Jacobson ordered Johannes Mehserle's trial be moved outside of Alameda County. Jacobson apparently bought into defense attorney Michael Rains' arguments for venue change. Judge Jacobson attempted to distance himself from the racism in Mehserle's change of venue motion, but by granting the move, he has in effect given credence to defense attorney Michael Rains' assertions that due to news coverage and protester's actions the citizens of Alameda are not qualified to be impartial jurors.

The City of Oakland was involved in the timing of the announcement, sending city workers home early in anticipation of potential upheaval downtown, as well as other probable arrangements made by city leaders. No large protests materialized despite the fearful claims in both Mehserle's motion and the judge's order to change venue.

The California Administrative Office of the Courts in San Francisco will narrow a list of potential venues within the next two weeks and then Judge Jacobson will choose the final venue from their selections.

Read More | Justice for Oscar Grant Event Faces Venue Change Order

Related Change of Venue Court Filings and Reports: Town Hall Reports from Inside Venue Change Hearing and on Hayward Police Brutality, 10/10/09 | Notes from the Mehserle Trial's "Change of Venue" Hearing, Day One, 10/6/09 | The Murder of Oscar Grant Demands Justice in Alameda County | The Murder of Oscar Grant, the Mehserle Trial and African People's Solidarity Day | Demonstrators at Superior Court -- Justice for Oscar Grant -- Keep the trial in Alameda County | Opposition Filing Knocks Down Mehserle's Racist Change of Venue Motion Point by Point | Mehserle's Change of Venue Motion Exhibit 1: Declaration of Edward J. Bronson | Mehserle's Change of Venue Exhibits 9, 10, & 12: CA Police Killings, Oakland Murders, and Mixon Flier | Mehserle's Change of Venue Motion Exhibits 13 & 14: Local Groups Involved in Protesting | Town Hall on 74th Avenue OPD SWAT Raid and Mehserle's Change of Venue Motion, 10/3/09 | Town Hall for Justice on Mehserle's Change of Venue Motion with BAMN Presentation, 9/26/09 | NOBLE Presents Disturbing Report on BART Police Department, 10/1/09: audio and full report

Previous Related Indybay Features: Mehserle's Attorney Accuses Community Activists of Spreading "Disinformation" in Change of Venue Motion | Indybay Coverage of the Justice for Oscar Grant Movement