Rodney King: Sad life, tragic end
Lewis DiuguidRodney King lived a sad life that came to a tragic end.
King, who became famous after his 1991 Los Angeles police beating that was videotaped, died June 17. A coroner’s report released Thursday showed that he had alcohol, PCP, cocaine and marijuana in his system.
King’s body was found in his swimming pool. The 47-year-old made headlines 21 years ago in a car chase that ended with police beating him. But the incident was captured on videotape, horrifying audiences worldwide.
That led to a trial of the officers involved, however, they were acquitted. The officers were white; King was black.
Rioting followed over the injustice. King famously said on national TV, “Can we all get along.”
Federal charges against some of the officers later led to convictions. A civil jury also awarded King $3.8 million in damages.
Kent Mueller
8 months, 4 weeks agoA very sad life. It was wrong, and sad what happened to him after he resisted arrest. Police should not do those things.
And it’s sad that, other than a chance quote, he never made much of himself. A long wrap sheet that shows considerable violence, especially towards family and females, and a smorgasbord of illegal drugs in his bloodstream when he dies an early death.
Brandon Lewis
8 months, 4 weeks agoLet’s put an end to police brutality whenever and where ever it happens.
May Rodney King be resting in peace.
Brian Berry
8 months, 4 weeks agoApunk died a punks death. Nough said.
Kent Mueller
8 months, 4 weeks agoBrandon, I agree. But he certainly isn’t someone we want our children to emulate. He was anything but a role model. I don’t understand people holding him up in a good light.
Brandon Lewis
8 months, 4 weeks agoI think the “War on Drugs” is a dismal failure. Today, drugs are cheap,easy to get and probably stronger than ever.
Let’s use the “War on Drugs” funding to treat drug abuse. Treating the abuse as a medical issue rather than a criminal one.
Rodney King may have been able to get his life on track had there been medical help instead of jail time to treat his addictions.
George Hunsucker
Northland
8 months, 4 weeks agoGive me a friggin’ break Brandon…
King was a multi-millionaire who choose to throw his life away… Trying to paint him as anything but a law-breaking druggie does a disservice to tryly deserving people, which King was not.
Kent Mueller
8 months, 4 weeks agoBrandon… the 3.8 million wouldn’t have gotten him into the Betty Ford Clinic?
Brandon Lewis
8 months, 4 weeks ago….King was 25 at the time of the beating, and it’s quite possible that he needed help in the years prior. Help may have prevented the crimes posted on his rap sheet.
The vicious police beating occured March 3, 1991 and the courts awarded his millions in April 19, 1994. There are a lot of years in there where help could have been beneficial.
Let’s also look at the bigger picture of the hundred of thousands of nonviolent drug abuse victims that are incarcerated today. Back to my initial comment, let’s give medical guidance for those addicted to drugs not a prison sentence.
Karen Hernandez
8 months, 4 weeks agoAs a former addiction counselor, I have to agree with Brandon’s comments. If we had more(affordable, or free) treatment centers for those who suffer from the disease of addiction, and fewer prisons that punish them for never receiving the help they needed, we might have more impact on their lives, before the disease is so entrenched that recovery is less likely to occur. God rest Rodney King’s soul and help those like him to find the road to recovery.
Brandon Lewis
8 months, 4 weeks agoSo be it, truly!