Los Angeles man in police beating awarded 450,000 dlrs

0 Comments | AFP, November, 2006

LOS ANGELES (AFP) — A car theft suspect who was the victim of a beating by a Los Angeles police officer that was caught on videotape was awarded 450,000 dollars in compensation, his lawyers said. Stanley Miller was repeatedly struck with a 13-inch flashlight by policeman John Hatfield while he was pinned to the ground by other officers following his arrest in June 2004 following a chase.

The beating was recorded by a television news crew and immediately evoked the notorious 1991 Rodney King beating. Miller, 39, had sued the city of Los Angeles for damages but agreed to settle in October. "It's wonderful to hear that it was finally approved," Miller's attorney, Browne Greene, said. "This will put to end a very unhappy episode for the LAPD, and I'm glad we could get it...