1993 April 17 In a civil suit, two of the four Los Angeles police officers charged in the beating of black motorist Rodney King are convicted, while the other two are acquitted. Officer Lawrence M. Powell is convicted of violating King's rights to an arrest without "unreasonable force." Powell delivered the majority of hits to King with his baton. Sgt. Stacey C. Koon is convicted of allowing the violation by Powell to occur. Officers Theodore J. Briseno and Timothy E. Wind are found not guilty on all charges. As a result of the riots in 1991, the people of Los Angeles were on edge awaiting the new verdict. Riot training for 7,000 Los Angeles police officers and advance notice of the verdict to the police prepared them for the possibility of future rioting.