Man Hit by Police Is Sent to Prison

Stanley Miller, whose beating by a Los Angeles police officer was televised worldwide, sparked protests and triggered a half-dozen investigations, pleaded guilty Wednesday to evading arrest and was sentenced to three years in prison.

“We feel it is an appropriate resolution to the case,” said Sandi Gibbons, a spokeswoman for Los Angeles County Dist. Atty. Steve Cooley. “It was the result of a negotiated settlement. He could have received more than five years.”

Last week Cooley said his office was close to completing a review of the beating committed by Los Angeles Police Department Officer John Hatfield.

Miller’s attorney, Mark Werksman, said the plea to evasion and joyriding meant that his client would serve no more than three years in prison.

“Now this matter is resolved and my client has taken responsibility for his action,” Werksman said. “The district attorney needs to look at these officers’ savage behavior and they need to ensure they are held responsible for their actions.”

In earlier cases, Miller, 36, had been convicted of auto theft and possession of drugs.

The videotape of the June 23 arrest that was shot from a television news helicopter shows officers chasing Miller along Compton Creek. Officer Phillip Watson draws and then re-holsters his handgun before tackling Miller, who has raised both hands. Officer David Hale then tackles Miller before Hatfield pummels him 11 times with his large, metal flashlight before kneeing him.

Six of the officers involved in the incident are still assigned to home pending the completion of Cooley’s investigation and an LAPD administrative probe.

According to sources, Hatfield told investigators that he used the flashlight because he heard Hale yell “Gun!” -- a statement supported by three other officers.

Hale told investigators that he yelled when he felt a hard object in Miller’s pocket. That object, according to the police report, was a pair of wire cutters.

But after the report was written, Officer Peter Bueno told investigators that he had found the cutters hundreds of feet away in the stolen car that Miller was driving, according to sources.

Miller filed a $25-million claim against the city, alleging that the blows left him with signs of brain damage.

Police Chief William J. Bratton labeled the incident a “mess,” but has maintained that Miller’s injuries were minor.

Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca is investigating eight deputies who were present when Miller was beaten. A deputy who later told an LAPD internal affairs investigator that “there are no rats here” was also under investigation.

Baca said that that deputy had been identified and had apologized in writing to the LAPD detective and Bratton. He may face disciplinary action, Baca said.

Bratton announced that officers soon would be required to use smaller, rubber-coated flashlights that were being custom-designed.