logo
episode-header-image
Dec 2021
44m 48s

The L.A. Riots | 5. The System

Slate Podcasts
About this episode
A year after they were caught on tape beating Rodney King, four LAPD officers went on trial. None were convicted.  How did the prosecution make its case against the cops? How did the officers hold up under questioning? And what happened when the verdict was announced?  Want more Slow Burn? Subscribe to Slate Plus to immediately access all episodes of Slow Bu ... Show More
Up next
Dec 2021
The L.A. Riots | 6. No Peace
In March 1991, Black people in Los Angeles had seen the videotape of Rodney King being beaten. In November, they’d seen Soon Ja Du sentenced to probation for killing 15-year-old Latasha Harlins. On April 29, 1992, a jury failed to convict the officers who beat King. That was the ... Show More
44m 33s
Dec 2021
The L.A. Riots | 7. Into Ashes
On April 29, 1992, Los Angeles had erupted into chaos. Over the following days, thousands of people took to the streets. Some were unleashing their anger at the police and the justice system. Some were driven by frustration at living in poverty in one of the world’s richest citie ... Show More
42m 17s
Dec 2021
The L.A. Riots | 8. Damages
After the largest civil disturbance in American history, Los Angeles faced a daunting task. Dozens of people had been killed and thousands injured. The city had sustained more than a billion dollars in property damage. And the riots had exposed that much of the population faced g ... Show More
51m 57s
Recommended Episodes
Mar 2019
Silvon Simmons
In 2016, Silvon Simmons was shot in the back by police officer Joseph Ferrigno. The Rochester Police Department said Silvon fired first, and charged him with attempted aggravated murder of a police officer. “My first instinct, to be honest, was they shot this guy and now there’s ... Show More
33m 52s
Oct 2019
The OJ Simpson Verdict | 7
On this episode of History of the 90s we are looking back at one particular day in 1995 that was the climax of a trial that gripped the public’s attention. October 3rd marks 24 years since 95 million people watched live on TV as the verdicts were read in the OJ Simpson Murder Tri ... Show More
45m 11s
Apr 2020
S1 | E10 Endings and Beginnings
After years of fighting for justice, the final day of the trial arrives. Maria, Kate and the reporters come together to hear whether or not the judges will convict Dino. The emotional and legal ramifications of the decision are huge. But is this story over? Need help? You're not ... Show More
39m 58s
Mar 2020
S1 | E6 The Abyss
Belinda kicks the Italian justice system into high gear. The Couchsurfing cop is now under investigation. But even the officers assigned to the case are shocked at what they uncover next. Need help? You're not alone. Confidential help is available for free. National Sexual Assaul ... Show More
40m 5s
May 2014
We Lost Them
On April 13, 2014, former KKK member Frazier Glenn Cross pulled into a Jewish Community Center and ambushed William Corporon and his grandson Reat Griffin Underwood, killing both. He then killed another woman named Terri LaManno a short distance away. What does the family left be ... Show More
15m 43s
Aug 2020
Ep. 299 - Here's what they do to "good cops" who speak out on police brutality
Every day I see people rightly ask why more "good cops" don't speak out on police violence. Well - today I'll show you why. This brave officer posted his professional opinion about the murder of George Floyd - and just got fired over it. ----- If you listen to The Breakdown and w ... Show More
12m 14s
Jul 2014
Can't Rock This Boat
In March 1964, a 35-year-old African-American woman named Johnnie Mae Chappell was walking along the side of the road in Jacksonville, Florida. Four white men were driving around listening to the local race riots on the radio. They had a gun on the dashboard. As they passed Chapp ... Show More
18m 40s
Jun 2017
Becoming Chief Brown
Shortly after David Brown was sworn in as the Dallas Chief of Police, his son shot and killed a police officer. Just before he retired as chief, 5 Dallas officers were shot and killed in what was said to be the deadliest attack for police officers since September 11th, 2001. Toda ... Show More
32m 21s
Jan 2015
The Fifth Suspect
In June 2014, authorities released information about a massive child pornography ring being conducted in North Carolina. Four suspects had already been arrested, and the police were asking the public for help finding a fifth suspect. But they didn't need to look very hard -- the ... Show More
20m 47s