Rodney King’s Case

I am writing regarding your article on the Rodney King settlement negotiations (“King, City Far Apart on Damage Claim; Trial Likely,” Sept. 23). I am in agreement with Los Angeles Councilman Zev Yaroslavsky in saying that the city cannot survive another trial. Enough with courtroom escapades; I do not feel that Los Angeles can truly be at peace until all this is behind us.

What happened to Rodney King that night was a terrible thing, as I’m sure we can all agree, but holding out for an outrageous settlement will not help the community. King should not think of compensation only in terms of monetary means, but rather the change in attitude of the Los Angeles Police Department, and the growing sensitivity toward minorities.

Had the King beating not been captured on videotape, the city would be offering nothing in terms of compensation. So I ask King and Milton Grimes (attorney for King) to take the $1.25 million which the city has offered and be done with it.

Until this issue is finally resolved I do not think there can be peace in Los Angeles.

RENE I. GURROLA, Pomona

According to the trial judge, the injuries sustained by Rodney King during the struggle to subdue him were legal, except for the few abrasions and bruises he received during the seconds at the end of his capture.

It would make me most unhappy to see the city pay more than $100 for cuts and bruises sustained in the process of subduing a drunk, hostile, belligerent and dangerous suspect.

CINDY WOOD, Malibu