Rodney King

Rodney King was an African American construction worker and resident of California. In 1991, he was pulled over and arrested for driving under the influence and speeding. During the arrest, King was severely beaten and tasered by Los Angeles Police Department officers Laurence Powell, Timothy Wind, Theodore Briseno and Sergeant Stacey Koon. The arrest and beating was video-taped by a nearby bystander and became international news. The infamous footage strained race relations between the LAPD and the African American community, with many residents calling for charges. The four officers were charged, but a state jury convicted only one, and a federal jury convicted only two. The state acquittal of the police officers involved triggered the 1992 Los Angeles riots.

State Trial

The trial was moved to neighboring Ventura County because of excessive media coverage. The selected jury was composed of ten Caucasians, one Latino and one Asian. During the trial, the four officers involved, charged with use of excessive force, testified that they believed King was under the influence of PCP, and claimed that his continued resistance led to the amount of force used. The defense also claimed that the video didn't capture the moment accurately. The jury acquitted three of the officers, but could not agree about one of the charges for Powell. On April 29, 1992, only Powell was convicted.

1992 Riots

When the jury verdict was announced, it triggered a week long riot in the Los Angeles area. In the end, the governor called for support from the federal government. With the assistance of the local and state police, the US Army, the Marines and the National Guard, order was eventually restored. After the violence subsided, 53 people were dead and 2,383 injured. Over 7,000 fires were set, damaging 3,100 businesses, and causing nearly $1 billion in damages. Smaller riots also occurred in Las Vegas and Atlanta. On the third day of the riots, King went before news camera to ask for peace, uttering the now famous phrase: "Can we all (just) get along?"

Federal Trial

After the riots, the Department of Justice indicted the four officers again, charging them with violating King's civil rights. The new jury found Officer Laurence Powell and Sergeant Stacey Koon guilty and acquitted Timothy Wind and Theodore Briseno of all charges. Officer Powell and Sergeant Koon were sentenced to 30 months of prison.

Aftermath

After the Federal Conviction, King was awarded $3.8 million in damages, but has been arrested several times.

• In May 1991, he was charged with attempted to run over a vice officer who allegedly found him with a transvestite prostitute in Hollywood.
• Again in 1993, King was placed on probation and entered a rehabilitation program after crashing his vehicle into a block wall in downtown LA.
• In July 1995, he was arrested in Alhambra, who charged that he hit his wife with his car, knocking her to the ground. He was sentenced to 90 days in jail after being convicted of hit and run.
• On August 27, 2003, King was arrested again for speeding and running a red light while under the influence of alcohol. He attempted to flee the officers, but slammed his SUV into a house. He broke his pelvis in the accident
• On November 29, 2007, King was shot in the face, arms, back and torso with birdshot by two thieves attempting to steal his bicycle. His injuries were not life threatening and he has since recovered.