knbc.com
Tuesday, July 8, 2008, 8:28 pm
Texting To Fight Crime!

Search 
Search IBS  Search the Web
news
E-Mail News Alerts
Get breaking news, daily headlines and more.

Reginald Denny Beating Defendant Sentenced In Murder Case

Man Already Convicted Of Beating Trucker During Riots Of 1992

POSTED: 12:37 p.m. PST December 5, 2003
UPDATED: 3:29 p.m. PST December 5, 2003

A man convicted of felony mayhem for a televised attack on trucker Reginald Denny during the 1992 Los Angeles riots was sentenced Friday to 30 years to life in prison for a drug dealer's murder.

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Curtis B. Rappe also ordered Damian Williams, 30, to serve an additional 21 years in prison for a firearm theft charge and other violations.

The judge denied attorney Edi M.O. Faal's second request for a new trial after hearing testimony from Williams co-defendant Tyrone David Killingsworth.

Killingsworth, 38, was the triggerman and was sentenced last month to 110 years to life in state prison, along with an additional 20-year prison term.

With his attorney by his side and a sheriff's deputy nearby, Killingsworth recounted his version of what happened at the crack house in southwest Los Angeles where Grover Tinner was shot to death July 18, 2000.

Killingsworth denied that Williams -- after handing him two guns -- told him some time before the 48-year-old drug dealer arrived, "You know what to do. Don't let me down."

In explaining why he waited until Williams' sentencing to explain his version of what happened that night, Killingsworth said, "I believe we were wrongfully convicted."

Killingsworth testified that he believed one of the guns Williams had asked him to hold accidentally went off as he struggled with Tinner, while Williams was struggling with another man. But he said he was unsure if those shots struck Tinner or if the gunfire that killed the victim came from somewhere else.

Deputy District Attorney Tom Rubinson disputed Killingsworth's version of the events, and said jurors returned a "very reasonable and correct verdict" against both men.

Williams served four years of a 10-year term after he was convicted of felony mayhem for throwing a brick on Denny's head as the riots began.

Denny was pulled out of a big rig at Florence and Normandie avenues on April 29, 1992, a short time after a state jury in Simi Valley acquitted four white Los Angeles police officers accused of beating black motorist Rodney King.

Williams denied he was the person caught on videotape attacking Denny.

Williams did not comment during Friday's sentencing hearing.


Photo Galleries
The Orange County District Attorney updates its top 10 most wanted list. More


Looking for a lighthearted chuckle? Check out some 'Laughing Child' photos into our PhotoVote contest! More


Sponsored Links




Links We Like
If you’re suffering from rheumatoid arthritis find out how what causes the problem and how you can manage the pain. More

If you’re having a tough time deciding on your next paint scheme, let the experts help you pick the right colors. More

Don’t make the mistake of narrowing your resume to fit only one of your goals. Instead develop multiple resumes to target your specific aspirations. More

Do you think you could be a supermodel? Neither could we. Learn to love the body you have and find happiness today. More

Like online video? Then you'll love Now See This.

Links We Like includes a selection of information, tools and resources from our partners and sponsors.