LOS ANGELES : Defense Rests in King Trial After Briseno’s Testimony
The defense rested Thursday in the punitive damage phase of Rodney G. King’s federal lawsuit stemming from his March 3, 1991, beating, and the jury is expected to get the case early next week.
U.S. District Judge John Davies sent the jury home until Monday, when final arguments are scheduled to begin. The same panel awarded King more than $3.8 million in compensatory damages at the end of the trial’s first phase April 19.
The final witness in the trial was suspended Los Angeles Police Officer Theodore J. Briseno, who told jurors he is $260,000 in debt. Briseno said that King struck him in the chest before the beating and that he will sue King for damages.
His testimony followed that of former Sgt. Stacey C. Koon and former Officer Laurence M. Powell--who are serving 30-month federal prison terms for violating King’s civil rights--and fired Officer Timothy E. Wind. All of them testified that they have been left destitute in the aftermath of the beating.
King’s attorney had asked for more time to cross-examine witnesses, but on Thursday the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals turned down that request.
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