I think the headline says it all: "Many L.A. Riot Suspects Found To Have Criminal Backgrounds: Records Check Challenges Assumptions About Motives." According to this article: The statistics (on arrests and background checks] appear to contradict the Initial assumption by many people that thefts. minor assaults and curfew violations were committed by people motivated solely by despair and anger after the King case verdict * * * Who were the rioters? Deputy City Attorney John Wilson breaks down the lawbreakers into three categories: professional criminals. illegal aliens. and first time offenders who were caught up in the melee. The deputy district attorney at the Los Angeles County D.A.s office lends support to Wilsons assertion--40 percent of the felony cases he is handling involve defendants with criminal pasts. I bring these findings up because I sympathize with the anger at the verdict in the Rodney King case. and understand the calls for reform in major urban areas.
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illegal aliens