Officer Pleads Not Guilty to Truck Driver’s Murder

A police officer accused of murder in the 1992 shooting of an unarmed tow truck driver at a South-Central Los Angeles gas station pleaded not guilty Tuesday and posted six pieces of property to cover his $235,000 bail.

Officer Douglas Iverson, 43, was formally charged two months ago in the death of 36-year-old John L. Daniels Jr., but Municipal Court Commissioner John Ladner had allowed him to remain free while he raised $250,000 bail. On Tuesday, Commissioner Abraham Khan forgave $15,000 of that amount.

Iverson has been relieved of duty without pay pending the outcome of his trial. The charge against him came a year after he shot and killed Daniels at the station at the intersection of Crenshaw Boulevard and Florence Avenue.

The officer and his partner had spotted Daniels filling up his truck. Because the vehicle had earlier been impounded, the officers pulled in to check Daniels’ towing license.

Iverson has contended that he fired his weapon because he feared Daniels would run down pedestrians after the tow truck driver ignored an order to remain at the scene and began driving away. Witnesses, however, have told investigators that Daniels posed no threat to anyone.

Iverson was ordered Tuesday to return Sept. 17 so a date can be set for his preliminary hearing.