By Ruth Manuel-Logan on Sep 8th 2010 10:27AM
Rodney King, whose senseless beating by the Los Angeles police became fodder for news outlets worldwide, became engaged to one of the jurors who awarded him a $3.8 million settlement in a civil suit against the LAPD, reported
RadarOnline.
King met former juror
Cynthia Kelley at a pizza shop a day after he was awarded the money.
Reportedly, Kelley was King's strongest supporter during the trial.
When they met, they were both married at the time. After they each got divorced, though, they began a relationship that ended when King agreed to take part in the VH1 reality TV show 'Celebrity Rehab With Dr. Drew' in 2008. King had admittedly become addicted to PCP and wanted to kick the habit.
On a whim last May, the 44-year-old King decided to call Kelley to see if she was still available, and as luck would have it, she was:
"It just so happened that we reconnected. "It was like we were never apart from one another," Kelley told Radar. "She is a godsend, a blessing in my life," King told the Website. "I don't know what I would have done without her in my life. "I can't wait to make her my wife."
King rose to national prominence back in March of 1992. He was a cab driver chauffeuring two passengers and speeding. Police spotted him and gave chase. King was afraid that since he had been drinking, he would be arrested for drunk driving, so instead of stopping, he decided to try and lose the policemen who were on his trail.
Several other police cruisers and a helicopter were summoned to the scene. When police finally caught up to King, the situation intensified: He refused to exit his car at first, then complied. Officers testified that King reached toward his back pockets and that they thought he was going for a gun. More police approached King and eventually used a stun gun on him.
King was thrown to the ground, and what occurred thereafter became pages for history books: A posse of white policemen began pummeling King, even while he was lying helpless. The 25-year-old cab driver was beaten to a pulp with fists, batons and swift, hard kicks by four officers, while 10 other policemen stood around and watched. Unbeknownst to law enforcement, though, a man had been videotaping the entire incident.
After the merciless beating, King was taken to a hospital, where he was diagnosed with 11 skull fractures, permanent brain damage, broken bones and teeth, kidney damage, and emotional and physical trauma. One of the nurses overheard some of the officers who had accompanied King to the hospital joking and bragging about the number of times he had been struck.
Even though the videotaped footage was aired by news agencies around the world, sparking anger and unrest, particularly in the Los Angeles area, the four policemen involved in King's attack were acquitted.
The acquittals triggered the 1992 L.A. riots, which left more than 50 people dead and resulted in $1 billion in damages. A subsequent federal trial for civil rights violations ended with two of the officers being found guilty and sent to prison, while the other two were acquitted.
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Comments: (365)
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By: Makeda on 9/09/2010 2:51AM
U just added a twist that has never been heard before. IGNORANCE is running rampant!
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By: james on 9/11/2010 9:00PM
johnny, You are a sorry lying mutha. they should have kept the afterbirth and put your sorry ass in the trash. you are one sorry and stupid mutha fuker.
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By: shuolezaijians on 9/08/2010 8:10PM
The acquittals triggered the 1992 L.A. riots, which left more than 50 people dead and resulted in $1 billion in damages. A subsequent federal trial for civil rights violations ended with two of the officers being found guilty and sent to prison, while the other two were acquitted.I am an Air Force and seek ing someone .I need a woman who can love me back ...I also uploaded my hot photos on uniformedmate.c omunder the name of IOIO555..It's the largest and best club for seek ing Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, Police Force, and the admirers of those who wear the uniform.I just hope you don't mind me being a soldier ...Please Check it out!I'm serious
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By: bob on 9/08/2010 8:33PM
OJ WOULD BE PROUD
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By: REAL on 9/09/2010 6:46AM
OJ DID THE BLACK COMMUNITY A FAVOR!!!!! THE 2 RACIST COPS THAT GOT AQUITTED SHOULD BE BEHIND BARS ASWELL. EHE ONES THAT STOOD AROUND WATCHING SHOULD HAVE LOST THEIR JOBS & PENSIONS!
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By: SLM on 9/08/2010 8:13PM
Geez Ashley, I suppose you call yourself a Christian right? What do you care what Rodney King does or does not do with his own life? Did you know that he worked very hard to get and remain sober, in addition to running a sober facility from his own home? Doesn't that count for anything? If you're so perfect, what the hell have you done with your life to contribute to society besides sit in complete judgement of others?
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By: Gmoots on 9/08/2010 8:12PM
Maybe they can go and have a beer with our president!
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By: C on 9/08/2010 8:46PM
another idiot!
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By: maya on 9/09/2010 1:46AM
@Gmoots.. "maybe they can go have a beer with the president'? WTH does that mean? OMG you are too incredibly funny . because i know you must be joking because no one can be that moronic can they?
go have a beer with the president... ohhh i know because all black people know each other? what a disgrace you are to our nation
I will pray for your education and that your heart may open one day and that the opening does NOT require a tragic event for it to occur
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By: swimtedswim on 9/08/2010 8:12PM
can she be considered a gold digger if she helped him get the money in the first place?
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