Skip to Content
Streetsblog Los Angeles home
Streetsblog Los Angeles home
Log In
"Accidents"

Wannabe Rapper Beats, Runs Over, Kills Pedestrian Advocate

12 1 08 osnes_1.jpg

Pianist and car-free advocate John Osnes left his favorite bar in Hollywood one night in mid-November.  He waived to the bartender and promised he would be back the next day.  However, instead he was savagely beaten and quite probably intentionally run over by a wanna-be Swedish rapper named David Moses Jassy, who is probably still smarting because his career highlight is being a backup singer for a track written for a High School Musical star's solo album.  The Times has the details of this brutal attack.

According to authorities, Osnes, who did not own a car and was astickler for pedestrian rights, was crossing a street near hisresidence when Jassy's rented SUV drifted into the crosswalk. AfterOsnes struck the front of the vehicle with his hands, Jassy allegedlygot out, punched Osnes, kicked him in the head when he stooped torecover his glasses and then ran over him with the vehicle. Bystanders,including an off-duty Anaheim police officer, witnessed the assault andtried unsuccessfully to detain Jassy, according to authorities.

Osnes was pronounced dead at a hospital, and Jassy was arrested Mondayafter investigators traced the license of his rented vehicle.

Hefaces charges of assault, battery and leaving the scene of an accident,but the district attorney's office is mulling additional countsdepending on autopsy results and further investigation.

While the city appears to be taking this case seriously, bail was set at $1 million, I can't understand why Jassey is not being charged with murder or manslaughter.  Leaving the scene of an accident?  If the witnesses accounts are correct, there was nothing accidental about what befelled Osnes.

Ironically, friends report that Osnes' pet peeve was rude drivers.  These same friends have setup a webpage to pay tribute to their car free friend. 

Photo: John T. Osnes.com

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog Los Angeles

Eyes On the Street: Metro and L.A. City Restore Wilshire Blvd. at New Subway Stations

Construction is winding down on Metro's 3.9-mile $3.35 billion D Line subway extension section 1

June 30, 2025

California Transportation Commission Unanimously Approves Funds for All Recommended Highway Projects

Advocates call the CTC a rubber stamp for highway widening. The body didn't do anything to dispel that notion yesterday.

June 27, 2025

Metro Responds to Issues Resulting from ICE Raids and Protests

The Metro board received an update on recent Metro service disruptions precipitated by ICE raids. The board approved a Janice Hahn motion intended to minimize service disruption.

June 26, 2025
See all posts