A Necessary Review : Appeals court is right to take up Korean grocer sentencing issue

The 2nd District Court of Appeal has agreed to hear L.A. County Dist. Atty. Ira Reiner’s appeal of a controversial sentence of probation given to a Korean woman, Soon Ja Du, who was convicted in the shooting death of a black teen-ager. The court’s unusual decision should relieve some of the outrage and calm some of the tensions in the African-American community.

The appeals court rarely decides to review a sentence. That characteristic reluctance serves to underscore the importance of an independent judiciary. But the Du case is unusual.

A security video camera captured the tragic altercation between Korean grocer Du, 51, and customer Latasha Harlins, 15. The videotape, which was played for the jury during the trial, graphically showed Du shooting Harlins in the back of her head as the youngster turned to leave the store, after a confrontation in which they struggled over a bottle of orange juice.

The shooting, occurring last March shortly after the videotaped police beating of Rodney King, further infuriated the black community.

Tensions were redoubled in November when Du was convicted of voluntary manslaughter and Superior Court Judge Joyce A. Karlin imposed a 10-year suspended sentence, five years’ probation, 400 hours of community service and a $500 fine.

Reiner questioned the fairness of a suspended prison sentence, arguing that state law requires prison time for a conviction for a crime in which a gun was used.

The appeals court is right to review that sentence. Our judges must be allowed to operate with the greatest latitude. But this was a controversial case that mirrored growing tensions among two of our largest minority groups. It deserves the fullest possible treatment from our legal system. That’s what it’s finally getting.