Rodney King Shot While Bicycling

Man hurt as crowd protesting Guatemalan's death attacks police station

(NEWSER) - A broiling mob protesting the police shooting death of a Guatemalan immigrant in Los Angeles faced off last night against cops in riot gear who fired non-lethal foam projectiles at demonstrators. At least one man was injured as some 300 people set street fires and gathered outside a police station on the second night of protests against the weekend shooting. A police sign was torn down and eggs and rocks were hurled at the station's windows. Police—who blame a group calling itself the Revolutionary Communist Party for stirring things up—say Manuel Jamines, 37, was shot after he refused to drop a knife he was using to threaten cops. More»

Missed chance on DNA, staked out wrong house,

(NEWSER) - The alleged serial killer known as the Grim Sleeper could have been stopped two years earlier if the police had collected his DNA. Lonnie David Franklin should have been added to a DNA database under a 2004 law called Proposition 69, finds the LA Times . He wasn't—apparently because it took the cops too long to get organized. "If only,” laments the mother of one of the victims. “Her life could have been possibly saved.” More»

(NEWSER) - William Bratton surprised colleagues and the city of Los Angeles with news today that he's stepping down as police chief, the Times reports. In his 6 years, Bratton reduced crime dramatically and introduced institutional reforms. The 61-year-old will head a private security firm after he officially passes the baton in October, and return to New York, where he also led a police makeover. More»

They saw news agent collapse after clash with cops

(NEWSER) - London police are interviewing witnesses who reported seeing cops attack a man shortly before he collapsed and died during last week's G20 protests, reports the Guardian. The 47-year-old news agent hit his head on the pavement after the clash, according to reports. The confrontation occurred as riot police with dogs attempted to herd protesters away from London's financial district. The man's death has officially been attributed to a heart attack. More»

Girl tackled, apparently punched after kicking off her shoes in Seattle cell

(NEWSER) - A video of a Seattle cop hurling a 15-year-old girl to the floor of a holding cell and apparently punching her in the head has been released by prosecutors trying the officer for excessive force. "This case is beyond police misconduct, it's criminal misconduct," said the lead prosecutor. The cop tackled the teen, who was busted for taking her parents' car, when she kicked off her shoes as she entered the cell. The deputy has pleaded not guilty. More»