Episode 96 - Latasha Harlins

In 1991 the city of LA was a powder keg of racial tension between Korean store owners and members of the black community. The senseless killing of Latasha Harlins, a 15 year old black girl, while trying to buy a $2 bottle of OJ was a turning point for the city. While the store owner was found guilty of a crime, the jury elected to convict her for voluntary manslaughter and the judge sentenced the woman to no time in prison. This verdict combined with the acquittal of the five officers charged in the beating of Rodney King sparked 4-6 days and nights of riots that left 63 people dead and over $1 billion in property damage. Listen along as we discuss some of the crimes, trials, and lack of proper planning by the LAPD that led to the deadly riots. Music by Gioele Fazzeri from Pixabay.