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Rodney King is beaten
African-American motorist Rodney King is severely beaten by LAPD officers after a high-speed chase. Local resident, George Holliday videotapes the beating, which KTLA broadcasts. Video from LA Times -
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LA RIOTS
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Video Sparks National Outrage
Videotape begins to be widely broadcast, sparking national outrage. Video from ABC News -
Officers Charged with Assault
LAPD Sgt. Stacey Koon and Officers Laurence Powell, Theodore Briseno and Timothy Wind are charged with assault and use of excessive force. <a href+="http://articles.latimes.com/1991-03-16/news/mn-155_1_police-officers">LA Times Article</a> -
Officers plead "Not Guilty"
All four officers enter “not guilty” pleas. Article on LA Times -
LA Mayor Appoints Citizen Commission on LAPD Procedures
Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley appoints attorney and diplomat Warren Christopher to chair a citizen commission on LAPD practices and procedures. LA Times Article -
"Christopher Commission" Report
“Christopher Commission” report concludes that “a significant number of officers in the LAPD...repetitively use excessive force against the public.” LA Times Article Full text of report: -
Trial moved from Los Angeles County to Simi Valley in Ventura County
Superior Court Judge Stanley Weisberg orders trial moved from Los Angeles County to Simi Valley in Ventura County. LA Times Article -
Jury acquits officers. Riots break out
A jury of ten Caucasians, one Hispanic and one Filipino-American acquits the officers. Riots break out in South Central Los Angeles.
LA Times Article -
Riots continue. Curfew is imposed. National Guard Deployed.
Violence, looting and fires spread to other parts of the city. Mayor Bradley imposes a dusk-to-dawn curfew. The National Guard is deployed. KTLA coverage via YouTube -
Rodney King TV appearance. President Bush National address.
Rodney King makes a television appearance appealing for calm. President Bush addresses the nation and outlines a federal response to the riots. Rodney King Appearance on CNN via YouTube -
Front Page of the LA Times
Front Page of the LA Times: "Looting and Fires Ravage L.A. 25 Deat, 572 Injured; 1,000 Blazes Reported -
Soldiers dispatched to disperse crowds. Peace Rally in Koreatown
4,000 soldiers and Marines are dispatched to disperse the crowds. Violence ebbs. 30,000 people attend a Koreatown peace rally. LA Times Article -
Curfew is lifted.
Mayor Bradley lifts the curfew. Sporadic violence continues for several days. LA Times Article -
LAPD Chief resigns, replaced by first ever African American Police Chief
LAPD Chief Daryl Gates resigns. He is replaced by Willie L. Williams, the first-ever African-American police chief of the L.A.P.D. LA Times Article -
Grand Jury indicts 4 Accused Officers
A federal grand jury indicts the four accused officers for violations of King’s civil rights. NY Times Article -
2 officers found GUILTY. 2 Acquitted
Jury in federal trial finds Koon and Powell guilty and acquits Briseno and Wind. LA Times Article -
Guilty Officers sentences to 30 months in Prison
U.S. District Judge John G. Davies sentences Stacey Koon and Laurence Powell to 30 months in prison. <a href=""http://articles.latimes.com/1993-08-05/news/mn-20655_1_officer-powell">LA Times Article</a>
