LA police acquitted over beating

The incident invites comparisons with the Rodney King case

Prosecutors in Los Angeles have decided not to press charges against a Hispanic police officer filmed hitting a black suspected car thief with a torch.

They said there was not enough evidence that the officer used excessive force.

Black leaders said the decision showed the justice system was stacked in favour of the police.

Commentators compared the case with the police beating of a black man, Rodney King, in 1991 which sparked some of the worst riots in the city's history.

The suspected car thief, Stanley Miller, was later convicted. He is serving three years in jail.

'Another standard'

Deputy District Attorney Margo Baxter said it could not be established beyond reasonable doubt that the officer had used more force than necessary.

But John Mack, president of the Los Angeles black community's Urban League disagreed.

"It again points out the regrettable reality that all too often in this community we have to deal with another standard of justice - the decks are obviously stacked in favour in this instance again of some police officers," he said, quoted by Reuters news agency.

The Mayor of Los Angeles, James Hahn, also condemned the decision.

"I have committed to making Los Angeles the safest big city in America," he said. "But I insist that goal be reached through lawful, professional, compassionate policing."

Rioting broke out in the city in 1992 after four white policemen were acquitted of beating Rodney King.