Trial: LAPD (KING) Rodney King By: Michael Beveridge

Rodney king’s trial Summary year 1992 and 1993 started by him going to a basketball game and drinking a lot there. High speed chase. King ignored the flashing lights and sped off.

Summary continued Was a victim of police brutality. Caused by Los Angeles police officers. Video taped much of the incident. It caused outrage and tension between the black community and LAPD. George Holliday filmed some of it with his new video camera.

The Case They say it was like an open and shut case. They say that king was on a drug that made him impervious to pain and gave him super human strength. Polls were taking after the seen of the incident and showed 90% of Los Angeles residents thought that police used excessive force during Rodney Kings arrest.

The Beating Before king got handcuffed he was got hit by a Taser twice and then beaten by two cop officers inflicting over fifty baton blows and several kicks. Was taken to Pacifica Hospital. Increased anger over police brutality and social inequalities.

The Jury The jury pool of 260 people included only half a dozen African Americans. Jury in Simi Valley

Prosecution Rodney king is Suing the Los Angeles police officers for police brutality.

Criminal The criminal act was police brutality Victim Rodney King The defendant: Koon and Powell

The Outcome King had no punitive damages In August 1993, Judge Davies sentenced Koon and Powell to thirty months in federal correctional camps.  In October of 1993, Koon and Powell began serving their sentences in separate federal camps. The jury found two of the officers, Koon and Powell, guilty Then Rodney wasn’t charged with any charges.

Interesting Facts Car at speeds of up to 117 miles per hour. King ignored the flashing lights and sped off an exit ramp.

Interesting facts Continued Rodney King, meanwhile, won a $3.8 million verdict from the City of Los Angeles.  He used some of the money he received in damages to found a rap record business, Alta-Pazz Recording Company. In December 1995, Koon and Powell were released. King, managed to rise to his feet after being hit twice by a taser King incident stands as a classic in police history The jury debated the officers' fate for seven days.  Verdicts of acquittal were easily reached for Wind and Briseno, and a little less so for Koon.  Most of the discussion focused on the actions of Powell.  Eight jurors wanted to acquit Powell of all charges, but in the end were unable to persuade the others on one of the assault charges. 

What I think ? I think the jury came to the right decision. I think the police did use police brutality