OAKLAND (KRON) – The attorney representing a family in a wrongful death claim against BART is calling for the transit agency’s police chief to be fired for circulating a memo telling officers how they can send money, food, books and personal mail to the former officer charged with murder.

Attorney John Burris says the Grant family is shocked and appalled by BART Police Chief Gary Gee’s message, adding that it contradicts statements by other BART officials and board members previously condemning Johannes Mehserle’s actions, “It is unacceptable for the police chief, who ostensibly is investigating Mehserle and other officers to encourage offices to visit and make financial contributions to Mehserle.”

22-year-old Oscar Grant was fatally shot in the back while lying face down at the Fruitvale BART station early New Year’s Day. Mehserle, who resigned from the force shortly after the shooting, has pled not guilty to the murder charge

BART announced on Thursday that they are ending their own internal affairs probe into the confrontation and are turning it over to an outside party.  Officials are also looking into allegations against other officers involved in the incident on New Year's morning at the Fruitvale station.

BART Director Joel Keller tells KRON 4's Reggie Kumar the move is designed to bring public credibility back to BART.  The shooting of Grant led to massive protests ending with Mehserle's arrest for murder.  The former officer is due in court Friday for a bail hearing.

BART hasn't yet decided which outside agency will take over the internal affairs investigation.  The Alameda County District Attorney's office is also looking into the cases.

The agency is also reportedly planning to hire a national firm to take a look at the procedures BART police use in the field.

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