Riots at verdict on police killing of black man

The conviction of a white US police officer for killing an unarmed black man during an arrest led to widespread looting and rioting in the Californian city of Oakland today.

Prosecutors had wanted Johannes Mehserle, 28, convicted of murdering 22-year-old Oscar Grant, who was shot as he lay face-down. Mehserle said he meant to stun Mr Grant with a Taser, but drew his handgun by mistake.

The jury yesterday found Mehserle guilty of involuntary manslaughter, which carries a sentence of two to four years. The next hearing is on August 6.

Mr Grant's mother, Wanda, condemned the verdict outside the court. "My son was murdered!" she said.

Cephus Johnson, Mr Grant's uncle, said the family had been "slapped in the face by a system that has denied us a right to true justice".

"We truly do not blame the jury, but we blame the system," he added.

A crowd near Oakland City Hall moaned and cursed when they heard the verdict. "It's not real, it's not real. Where's the justice? He was killed in cold blood," said Amber Royal, 23.

The verdict sparked unrest in the city which saw car windows smashed, stores looted and fireworks aimed at police. One person suffered a leg injury when protesters started throwing rocks and bottles. Firefighters also put out a number of fires started in bins. California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger urged people not to resort to violence, while civic leaders appealed for calm.

Oakland Police Chief Anthony Batts said at least 50 people had been arrested and he expected the number to double. "We deserve better than this," he said. "This city is not the Wild West. We will allow people to protest and we will allow them to do it peacefully."

At least five bystanders videotaped the killing of Mr Grant, a grocery store worker and father, on New Year's Day last year. Mehserle said he struggled with Mr Grant and saw him digging in his pocket as officers responded to reports of a fight at a railway station. The victim had recently been released from jail after being sentenced to 16 months for gun possession.

Mr Grant has become a martyr of sorts in a city where more than a third of residents are black, and his image is displayed on buildings and windows.

The trial was moved from Alameda County to Los Angeles because of escalating racial tension.