OAKLAND (KRON) -- Former BART Police officer Johannes Mehserle is pleading not guilty to murder charges in connection with the shooting death of 22-year old Oscar Grant.

During a 15 minute hearing Thursday morning Mehserle entered the plea.  Trial is set for October 13th at 9:00 a.m.

KRON 4's Dan Kerman who was in court for the hearing says Judge C. Don Clay asked defense attorney Michael Rains about a weekend newspaper story in which the lawyer said he would ask for a change of venue.  Rains confirmed the quotes were accurate.  The judge then admonished both sides that a gag order remains in place and urged them to be cautious about violating it.

Mehserle is due back in court on July 24th when the judge will hear a motion to throw out his own ruling in the preliminary hearing.  Clay ruled the officer should be charged with murder and not manslaughter.  Another hearing is set for September 11th in which the court will consider the expected request for a change of venue.

Mehserle is accused of murder in connection with the shooting early New Year's morning on the platform at the Fruitvale Station.  The former officer says he meant to shoot Grant with a taser but mistakenly pulled his gun.  Mehserle is the first California officer in 15 years to face criminal charges for an on-duty shooting.

Stay tuned to KRON 4 and KRON 4.com for comprehensive coverage of the BART shooting case.

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