European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - May 17, 1992, Darmstadt, Hesse                                No reason to feel shame Over police acquittals Stephen Deane i took great personal offence As i read the first paragraph of the front Page article titled a americans in Europe feel shame anger Over the acquittal of four policemen in connection with the Rodney King beating. Lets look at the facts 1.1 am an american service member in Europe. 2.1 did no to feel genuine Surprise shame or anger on the Day May 2 of that Story or any Day since As a result of the trial. 3.1 certainly do not Feci the slightest bit of sympathy for those who chose to take to the streets of los Angeles in protest of the a King verdict a a Misnomer ill discuss later. Now since i Only meet one of the criteria the stars and stripes established in the first two sentences of the article let me enlighten you. I am a career Soldier with Over 18 years service the last 16 years in the military police corps. As an my in uniform and military police investigator in Street clothes i have been spat on hit kicked bitten by both men and beast and Cut. I have never been accused of using excessive Force in performing my duties. I have never used any degree of Force beyond that which was required to take immediate and positive control of any Given situation encountered regardless of the race or status of anyone involved. I do not consider myself prejudiced toward any segment of society. I have had the Honor of performing my duties with Blacks orientals hispanics indians and yes even female partners. These Are not just co workers but dedicated professionals in a difficult and challenging Field whom in be depended on More than friends. Off duty in be had them All in my quarters and have been in most of theirs. I am not so naive As to believe nor will i lie and state that excessive Force and a police brutality does not occur. I have investigated allegations of excessive Force against fellow maps on previous Tours. I have witnessed acts i believed to be excessive Force committed by the German police the new Jersey police and Columbia county sheriff deputies in Georgia. Although i would never condone it and have never witnessed it i will accept the argument that minorities have been and continue to be treated differently than Whites in several areas throughout our country. I have also attended the funerals of four police officers who had fallen violently while performing their sworn duties to protect and serve. This Isnit television drama. In a talking about real life with real widows and children. Now for How i feel concerning the recent events in California. First this is not the a Rodney King cases As it has so incorrectly and popularly been billed by the Media. This has never been a Legal Case of Rodney King is. Four White police officers. This was a criminal prosecution an alleged violation of California state statutes therefore it should have been viewed in the True Legal sense for what it was the state of California is. Four police officers. It was never the duty of this court to Rule on or even consider what we would All consider to be a Paramount social injustice the mistreatment of Black or minority offenders by Law enforcement officers based on race or social status. This was never a Black is. White Case not in the legally sterile environment of the courtroom. Simply put the Only Issue to be decided was whether the authorized use Force in the performance of duties by White officers a a c and d exceeded that degree of Force that was appropriate in subduing and restraining offender a considering All the factors and circumstances surrounding this particular incident. Yes i had the Opportunity to View the Home video of the incident scores of times just like anyone else who has watched to newscasts the past year. From that piece of video tape packaged and presented in the sensational manner it was i personally believed that at least two of the officers pictured were properly charged not necessarily convicted with using excessive Force. That is the extent to which i Felt i could personally judge. The 12 jurors examined not Only that particular piece of evidence but also a multitude of other evidence that we the Public did not have the Benefit of. So i did no to have any real expectation As to the outcome of the trial. It scares me to think that almost everyone else had already convicted these four men apparently several times Over based solely on that one segment of video tape presented with the network Anchorman a dramatic and decidedly slanted dialogue which would never be allowed in any courtroom. Id hate to think we went to All the expense and Effort of a trial just to make it official. That my fellow citizens sounds like the purest form of prejudice. Now the Media is loudly speculating that the Case was basically decided when it was moved from los Angeles to Simi Valley where in this specific Case not one Black juror was seated. Now think about this for a minute. Tried by a jury of their Peers. Four White men on trial accused of a violation of state Law that Law not being specific in regard to any racial Issue being judged by 10 Whites one Oriental and one hispanic. Where is the Issue Here show me where these men were not judged by a jury of their Peers. Had Rodney King been on trial for an offence in front of that same panel i would be the first to cry  King was not on trial Here. He Wasny to convicted of any crime in this court. He did no to even testify As a witness. The a system a the judicial process in this particular Case appears to have functioned properly. Just because the jury did not come to the same conclusion As overwhelming popular opinion would have it does not mean the system is flawed. I will be the first to admit that i believe our judicial process has suffered and continues to suffer from serious social and racial inequities. But i do not believe that to be the fact in this specific Case. Shame yes i Felt shame but not As an american who has lost Faith in my nations criminal Justice system. I Felt outrage and shame in that i am viewed As a member of our greater american society that has demonstrated to my German friends and the rest of the world that we Are capable of senseless rampage and Wanton destruction on a Large scale. Outrage because i cannot begin to appreciate in even the most abstract manner How anyone could take to the streets to maim murder loot and bum As they have the past couple of weeks. Believe me i do have a lot of sympathy but not for murderers looters and arsonists. Sgt. 1st class Stephen Deane works in Stuttgart Germany. Send in your column plus a photo of yourself to be our guest sunday Magazine the stars and stripes Apo 09211 or Postrach 11 14 37, d-6100 Darmstadt 11, Germany. Opening laugh Elbe Amsterdam Holland copy night 1992. Cartoonists amp writers Syndicate com ims from the cover. 4-7 the Deere goes Johnny. Sidelights. Andy Rooney sees a worlds Worth of cars. Odds amp ends. Cindy Chambers on International English. In tune. Networks lineup took a fall. This weeks films. 12-13 Chuck Vinch Tom set Leek a bust in  cafes circuit listings. Television listings. 14-16 local Cable and satellite schedules. Home entertainment. .17 Quot at play in the Fields of the lord on video. On Parade. The eligibility of Juk or. Voices. Linda Ellerbee on sceptical voters. Words amp wit. William Safire recognizes the worst. Books. Memories of hitlers Berlin. Tulsa riots. The White wipe out of Tulsa Blacks in 1921. Last laugh. Dave Barry roams around Montana. The latest Page in sunday Clarence Page columnist for the Chicago Tribune joins Andy Rooney on Page 9. Whitney Houston headed for Costner film. Page 18. Sunday is a weekly supplement of the stars and stripes editor. Bucky Fox Art direction Wes Booher production Susie Stonum editorial assistance Marian Hamilton Louis Pierce Page 2 a sunday May 17, 1992