Officer convicted of shooting unarmed teen

Criminal prosecutions and convictions of police officers for using excessive force are extremely rare.  This case from Okla. is a recent exception.

Excessive force? Breaking car window and dragging suspect out through it.

The Ninth Circuit suggested that under the circumstances, it could be.

BART shooting Trial: Potential for Riots?

California bracing for possible riots a la Rodney King if a police officer on trial for murder is acquitted. It is practically unheard of that an officer is charged with murder in a possibly excessive force case where the arrestee suspect dies. Is it credible that a supposedly trained officer attempting to subdue an unarmed suspect attempts to pull out his Taser and pulls out and fires his handgun instead? On the other hand, the officer’s spontaneous verbal reaction supports the theory. This isn’t the first time this argument/excuse has been made by an officer. I look for the jury to come back with a compromise verdict of guilty of manslaughter or some form of homicide less than murder.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/06/15/BAGI1DUVHV.DTL