A man accused of beating trucker Reginald Denny at the start of the spring's deadly riots has sued some of the city's top officials, saying he has been convicted in the news media before being brought to trial.
Damian Monroe Williams, 19, filed the $10 million civil rights suit in federal court Thursday, said his attorney, Dennis Palmieri.Named as defendants were District Attorney Ira Reiner, Police Chief Willie Williams, Mayor Tom Bradley and members of the media who were not identified.
Damian Williams, who is not related to the chief, and four other black men are charged with assaulting or robbing Denny at a South Central Los Angeles intersection hours after four white police officers were acquitted of beating motorist Rodney King, who is black.
The white trucker's beating April 29 was televised live by news helicopters and became one of the most violent - and enduring - images of the riots.
Palmieri said national media coverage of the case fostered a prejudice against his client. Prosecutors have alleged that Williams confessed to throwing a rock at Denny.
Palmieri said Williams was promised immunity and leniency if he would help in the investigation of the riots.
"That promise has been reneged and they're deeming his statements a confession," Palmieri said. "He's being held on an exaggerated bail that clearly seems to me to be a punishment."
Williams is being held in lieu of $580,000 bail. A preliminary hearing for the five is scheduled July 31.
Willie Williams was sued because he is the city's current police chief, although he did not take office until last month. Daryl Gates, who was chief during the riots, was not named in the suit.