The Rodney King Verdict: Did Our Justice System Fail? And Now What?

Not long ago, I read of a man sent to jail and given a hefty fine for kicking his dog. Partial witnesses’ accounts (his neighbors) and pressure from animal protection groups prompted this stiff sentence.

Last week, four policemen were acquitted for kicking senseless a human being under the color of authority. An impartial witness (a videotape of the incident) and pressure from an outraged citizenry failed to prompt an adequately severe sentence.

On the one hand, society protects the animal from abuse; on the other hand, the system society built to protect humans from abuse fell at least short of justice when it was called upon to protect a black man beaten by four white police officers sworn to “Protect and to Serve” the public.

Notwithstanding my shock for the acquiescing attitude of a dubious chief of police and my unequivocal condemnation for the ruthless sack and senseless pillage of Los Angeles which followed this incredible verdict, if we as a society don’t take immediately very hard second and third looks at a judicial system that allows sad inconsistencies such as these to take place, we will deserve the anarchy that will reign next, where a human life will not be worth the ink used to write this letter!

GIANVITTORIO PERNICIARIO, Trabuco Canyon