(born 1966) Victim of a savage beating by four white Los Angeles police officers who were caught on video by a bystander. The tape, frequently shown on network news shows, created widespread consensus about the officers’ guilt. The California jury’s May 1992 acquittal of the officers shocked many. It was explained by the jury’s selection from the politically conservative suburbs of Los Angeles, CA and the fact that it included no African Americans, as well as artful defense strategies. Anger in South Central LA led to the most violent race riot in American history, during which fifty-four people were killed, thousands injured and property damaged in excess of 11 billion. Federal civil-rights charges were later brought against the officers and they were found guilty King eventually disappeared from public view.