On January 1, 2009, a white officer shot a black subway rider in the back, on California's BART train. Multiple passengers captured the shooting on their cell phone cameras and that footage was part of the evidence in the trial. The officer told jurors that he mistakenly drew his gun instead of his electric taser while he struggled to handcuff Oscar Grant and shot him by accident. The case has divided Oakland, Calif., and was tried in a Los Angeles court in order to find an impartial jury.

Jack Leonard has been covering the trial for The Los Angeles Times. He says that there is a fear in Oakland that there could be more unrest and protests once the verdict is announced. Oakland's police department has even simulated riots to help officers prepare for disturbances, and meeting areas are being set up for residents to express their feelings about the verdict.