Presumed Guilty: The Tragedy of the Rodney King Affair (Hardcover)

~ Stacey Koon (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

...a compelling, thoroughly documented, well-reported story--one that challenges readers to probe deeply into their own feelings about justice, racism, violence, police brutality, and media coverage. --San Gabriel Valley Tribune

Product Details

• Hardcover: 269 pages
• Publisher: Regnery Publishing, Inc.; 7th edition. edition (October 25, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0895265079
• ISBN-13: 978-0895265074
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,042,347 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Real Telling Point of the Entire King Affair, September 12, 2002

By	J. Reynolds (Houston, TX United States) - See all my reviews

The crux of this account is Stacey Koon's observation that when ALL of the evidence (and not just a few seconds of videotape, punctuated by activist oratory) was lawfully presented to a trial jury, and explained in a reasonable fashion, the jury determined that the officers were not guilty of the primary crime with which they had been charged. Everything after that was society's emotional reaction based upon irresponsible media inflammatory over-dosage.

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars For Those Who Dare, The Other Side, July 23, 2002

By	The Orange Duke "orangeduke" (Cupertino, Ca United States) - See all my reviews

An excellent well-written defense of the infamous police who beat Rodney King. Koon, of course, was the Sgt. in charge at the scene, so he can hardly be considered to be an unbiased source. He makes his case with some skill, and he is able to present himself successfully as a sympathetic character. He points out that most of those who condemn him out of hand really have no idea what went on that night. He lays his defense out carefully and goes point by point explaining his own thinking and his perception of what happened. Koon emphasizes his belief that King was on PCP and his contention that if the police had been able to employ a chokehold the whole incident would never have occurred. He also takes a few well aimed shots at his old boss, the controversial Police Chief Darrel Gates... He also makes a deft attack on the media's evident bias against him, and ruefully points out that the media's `public person' defense of their actions was self created since they made Koon a `public person'. He also rightly points out that the Federal Case was double jeopardy. One need not be convinced by the argument to appreciate the importance of the book. The picture on the back with Koon looking sorrowful and sheepish though, is a bit much.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars truth, August 17, 2002

By A Customer

It is a shame this book is out of print and that is wasn't given much publicity. It is a fast read and eyeopening to the side of the story that the media kept from the public. I recommend it highly.