The Rodney King Case: What The Jury Saw In California V. Powell

Rush released to video, this Court TV production which condenses 150 hours of the California V. Powell case down to 2 hours, highlights key portions of both the prosecution and defense's arguments, and shows the entire 81-second amateur videotape of the beating of Rodney King on March 3, 1991. In the aftermath of the stunning verdict delivered on April 29, 1992, the country ignited, resulting in a tragic few days of death and destruction. The "Rodney King" Case presents the opening arguments of prosecutor Terry White and the four attorneys representing the four officers charged with the use of excessive force in the arrest of Rodney King, and then shows excerpts from the testimony and cross-examination of key witnesses, including defendants' Powell, Koon, and Briseno (Wind did not testify). "Experts" for both sides use the videotape frame-by-frame to "prove" that King was either a) aggressive and posing a threat, or b) not aggressive, and posing no threat. In addition to the videotape, damning evidence of Powell's state-of-mind is introduced when the jury hears an audiotape of Powell laughing as he describes the beating of King over the police radio. When the jury retires to deliberate, the program offers a truly obnoxious, but mercifully short, media circus section, in which moderator Cynthia McFadden (a ridiculously ebullient airhead) questions a panel of "expert" lawyer airheads who play hindsight strategists and say absolutely nothing of substance. Aside from this, The "Rodney King" Case offers viewers the chance to see the trial as the jury saw it (albeit a much abbreviated and edited version) and make their own decisions. Highly recommended. (Available from most distributors.)