The Region - News from Feb. 24, 1987

A jury “could reasonably conclude” that the police baton blow to the head that killed an Atwater area man was accidental, the district attorney’s office said in closing its file on the case. William Roy Retana, 26, died after he was struck Oct. 19, 1985, by Los Angeles Police Officer Vincent C. Rodriguez, 24, who had gone to the 3900 block of Glenfeliz Boulevard to assist another officer after Retana reportedly tried to force his way into a neighbor’s house while drunk. Investigators said Retana, whose blood alcohol level was .16%, well above the legal limit for intoxication, continued advancing on Rodriguez despite several attempts by both officers to disable him.