
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: TUESDAY, October 26, 1993                   TAG: 9310260223
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL                    PAGE: A-3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Los Angeles Times
DATELINE: LOS ANGELES                                LENGTH: Short

JURY TALKS OF DENNY VERDICT

Fear of another riot played no role in verdicts reached in the Reginald Denny beating trial, the forewoman of the heavily criticized jury said Monday. But the lone alternate assailed the verdicts as an indication that "we are ruled by intimidation from a small group of people."

"There has been a lot of expressed anger, shock, disbelief and speculation regarding the verdicts," said the forewoman, reading a statement on behalf of the 12 jurors. "The verdicts were decided according to the law, not through intimidation, fear of another riot; nor were the verdicts based on black vs. white."

The forewoman and the alternate - who did not participate in deliberations - spoke at a news conference where they took no questions from reporters. Jurors asked Superior Court Judge John Ouderkirk to keep their identities and places of employment confidential and the judge agreed.

The forewoman, a black woman, said the verdicts "were based on the evidence and facts presented in court. We followed the judge's instructions, and all 12 of us understood the law as presented to us."

The alternate said, "It is a sad day in America and for the human race when we are ruled by fear of retaliation from a small group of people - not by what is right and wrong in God's eyes."

Meanwhile, the only person convicted of a murder in connection with last year's riot, Traville James Craig, 19, was sentenced Monday to life in prison without possibility of parole.

by CNB