Rodney King Trial

http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/rodney-king-trial-verdict-announced

Rodney King Trial
Majd Kazzaz

The Rodney King trial was based on an African-American male citizen who severely beaten down by several Caucasian officers who were released unpunished. The force that was used by these police officers was extensive and unnecessary. There is clear and obvious evidence that places these officers in the wrong. A video by George Holliday shows the officers, named Powell and Wind, inflicting over fifty baton blows and several kicks. One or more of the baton blows seemed to land on King's head. The video can be seen here. Even though the evidence is clear and over 90% of the people in Los Angeles agree that the officers are guilty of police brutality and unlawful use of force, the jury consisting of 10 whites, one Hispanic, and one Filipina decided to announce them not guilty. It is a widely accepted around the nation that these officers should have been convicted of commiting crime. The jury, on the other hand, went against the widespread belief and announced them innocent.

With a system that implements a test to make sure that the jury is fair and unbiased, this could have easily been avoided. This specific scenario demonstrates the importance of a change needed in our justice system. That is why we must make our voices heard and do whatever is in our power to force this change into our government.