Delay of King Trial Sought by Lawyer

The lawyer for one of the four police officers charged with violating Rodney G. King’s civil rights asked Friday for a delay in the trial, citing new poll numbers that show three-quarters of city residents believe rioting could erupt if the defendants are acquitted.

A CBS News poll released Thursday evening found that 75% of the Los Angeles residents questioned believe another riot is likely if a federal jury finds the defendants not guilty in their upcoming trial. Thirty-seven percent considered a riot “very likely,” and 38% considered it “somewhat likely.”

Reacting to the poll, attorney Ira Salzman, who represents Sgt. Stacey C. Koon, filed a motion Friday asking that the trial be delayed.

“We have this extremely volatile situation,” Salzman said in an interview. “It’s most unnerving.”

U. S. District Judge John G. Davies has rejected previous attempts to delay the trial, including one made last week by another defense lawyer, who warned that the proximity between the trial of the officers and another volatile case could spark new riots.

A hearing is scheduled Tuesday on other pretrial matters, and Salzman said he hopes to argue for a delay during that session.

Prosecutors, meanwhile, filed a pair of 11th-hour motions of their own, including one that asks the judge to prevent defense lawyers from telling jurors that they believe the prosecution of the officers is politically motivated.

That accusation has been leveled frequently by defense attorneys, but prosecutors say it is irrelevant.

Jury selection for the federal trial is scheduled to begin Wednesday.