On Oct. 18 and 20, a jury in Los Angeles acquitted two black men of attempted murder, in the videotaped beating of truck driver Reginald Denny. The beating occurred during the opening moments of the Los Angeles riots in 1992.
Damian Williams, 20, was convicted of mayhem, and Henry Keith Watson, 29, was convicted of simple assault. Williams was sentenced Dec. 7 to the maximum 10 years in prison. Watson was given three years probation.
The prosecution showed the jury video tapes of Denny being pulled from his truck and beaten at the intersection of Florence and Normandie Avenues in South Central Los Angeles.
A photographer who said he was in a helicopter above the intersection that day testified he saw Williams slam a brick into the side of Denny's head and then dance away in a victory dance.
The defense contended that Williams and Watson were not the people shown in the video tape. Defense attorneys also produced expert witnesses who said during riot conditions people are caught up in the moment and not responsible for their actions.
After testifying Aug. 26 that he had little memory of the event, Reginald Denny hugged the mothers of the two men accused of attacking him. Later he said that he forgave Watson and Williams.
