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7 unusual facts about Rodney King


39th District corruption scandal

The investigation of the illegal search was ultimately turned over to the F.B.I. by the PPD Internal Affairs Bureau at the direction of Police Commissioner Willie Williams, in the wake of the Rodney King beating at the hands of the LAPD.

Documentary practice

The 1991 video of Rodney King being subjected to police restraint is an example of the continuing power of this shift.

Edward Earl Carnes

Nonetheless, his nomination might have sailed through the Senate if not for the Rodney King incident, which encouraged Senate Democrats to use Carnes' nomination as a chance to stump against racism in the criminal justice system.

Fred Hampton, Jr.

The case involved the firebombing of a Korean grocery store in the aftermath of the 1992 nationwide protests after the acquittal of the Los Angeles Police Department officers who beat Rodney King.

Rodney King

In May 2008, King checked into the Pasadena Recovery Center in Pasadena, California, where he filmed as a cast member of the second season of Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew, which premiered in October 2008.

Silent Sam

Students gathered here to speak out after Los Angeles police officers were found not guilty in the 1992 Rodney King trial.

The Burning City

Arshur the Magnificent, oblique reference to Rodney King: Arshur is clearly meant to sound like "Arthur," as in King Arthur so that as events unfold the reader would link King to Arshur.


Broadway Federal Bank

Shortly after Paul C. Hudson’s appointment as CEO, a fire destroyed Broadway Federal’s main branch during the civil unrest that occurred in the wake of Rodney King beating trial verdict.

Fame For 15

People covered include Donato Dalyrmple, the fisherman who rescued Elián González, Scott O'Grady, Jim Morris, Darva Conger, John Wayne Bobbitt, Ellie Nesler, Divine Brown, Tommie Smith, George Holliday, the man who filmed the Rodney King video, and Who Wants to be a Millionaire winner John Carpenter.

Harland Braun

His cases have included successfully defending John Landis and his co-defendant George Folsey, Jr. in the Twilight Zone manslaughter trial, defending Rep. Bobbi Fiedler against bribery charges, successfully defending state criminal charges against one of the officers charged in the Rodney King beating who was convicted in the subsequent federal trial, and defending several officers in the Rampart scandal.


see also

New York Doll

The central focus of the film, however, is Arthur's life after conversion to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints after struggles with alcoholism, drug abuse, an attempt at suicide, and a beating with a baseball bat that, contrary to popular belief, did not happen during the Rodney King riots, but left him near death, and needing a long recovery.