SHORT TAKES : Jail Term in Racially Tense Case

A man was sentenced today to a year in prison, the maximum sentence for his conviction of misdemeanor homicide in the death of the black son of a Hollywood actress in a trial that sparked racial tension.

John Leota was also ordered to pay restitution of more than $40,000 for the death of Malik Smith, the 18-year-old son of actress Beverly Todd and producer Kris Keiser.

Third District Judge Homer Wilkinson’s sentence was the maximum for the charge of negligent homicide. Leota, 19, was also sentenced to one year’s probation and 150 hours of community service for an assault charge involving another man.

On Thursday, members of the Polynesian community here charged that “wealthy Hollywood blacks” were trying to deny justice to Leota, who is Polynesian. Entertainers such as Whoopi Goldberg and Jennifer Warren had written letters to Wilkinson.

Smith was fatally injured when he struck his head after being punched by Leota at an area disco on March 20. Leota testified Smith had embarrassed him, but he did not mean to kill him when he hit him once and kicked him in the face.