5 King Jurors Criticize Sentences : Justice: One calls leniency a ‘betrayal,’ saying Koon, Powell deserved longer terms. Four say punishment is sufficient. Most agree their experience forged a strong bond despite differences.

SUNSET BEACH —  The first reunion of jurors in the Rodney G. King civil rights trial was punctuated Saturday by complaints from five jurors that Officer Laurence M. Powell and Sgt. Stacey C. Koon should have received longer prison sentences than the 2 1/2-year terms handed down Wednesday.

One in the group, who wished to only be identified as Juror No. 3, had tears well in his eyes as he denounced the sentence by U.S. District Judge John G. Davies as a betrayal of the long hours he put in during 52 days of jury service.

“What’s right is right, what’s wrong is wrong,” the juror said, his arms crossed and head bowed. “Each of us gave so much of our time, our lives, and I felt like we were undermined. . . . It was a whitewash.”

It was coincidence that the reunion, in a former water tower converted into a home in this north Orange County beach town, took place only three days after the sentencing, according to those in attendance. By early evening, nine jurors and one alternate had attended. Some family members and friends also attended.

Among the group, five expressed disappointment at the sentence while four said the punishment was sufficient. Another former juror was not available to be interviewed.

Davies’ decision to imprison the officers for 2 1/2 years surprised legal observers, most of whom had predicted sentences of four to six years. In explaining why he reduced the sentences far below the range called for by federal guidelines, Davies adopted many of the arguments of Koon and Powell’s defense lawyers. The terms were far less than requested by prosecutors.

The officers, who also were not fined or ordered to pay restitution, are scheduled to report for imprisonment next month.

At the reunion, there were playful pictures taken and memories shared over bottles of beer, but the main topic of conversation was the judge’s decision.

Erik Rasmusen, 55, known during the proceedings as Juror No. 11, said the punishment “put a damper” on what was otherwise a “very rewarding experience.”

“The sentences were too lenient,” Rasmusen said, clutching a beer in his meaty hand and sharing a couch with jury foreman Bob Almond and alternate Mike Gomez. “I also disagreed in some ways with the statements the judge made about how Rodney King provoked the beating. I thought the judge was searching for some excuses to give a lenient sentence. Rodney King was a victim. He was not on trial.”

Rasmusen referred to statements Davies delivered before sentencing in which the judge blamed King for provoking the incident and described the officers in warm terms.

Another juror, identified as Fred, said that although Davies was “a very good judge,” he believed that the punishment should have been more severe.

“I don’t personally agree with it, but I’ll stand behind it,” said the 35-year-old juror with flowing blond hair and a long beard. “Judge Davies has a better legal mind than me.”

Almond said the sentences brought the defense some measure of vindication, but added that the punishment did not undercut the jury’s verdicts.

“No one can say that what happened out there was not aggravated assault,” Almond said. “The judge was lenient because they were police officers. The judge did provide some vindication; it was a minimum sentence. I was also worried that they might get off somehow.

“We did what what we had to do, and then the judge took over.”

Other jurors, however, expressed support for the sentence and respect for the judge.

“These men (Koon and Powell) have been imprisoned for some time anyhow,” said one juror who wished not to be identified, referring to the officers’ lost jobs and reputations. “Two-and-one-half years was a very wise sentence, but we don’t think they were vindicated in any way. It seemed reasonable. The judge is a highly competent man.”

Although Stan Eckhardt, 66, said he was aware of the group’s differences of opinion on punishment, he found comfort in knowing that the judge shared his feelings that “Rodney King was to blame for a good amount” of the officers’ actions.

“That was my opinion from the start,” said Eckhardt, known as Juror No. 2 during the trial. “The judge brought out a number of good points. The sentencing was very fair. But in no way can you please everybody.”

During the trial, Davies was solicitous of the jurors, who were sequestered in the downtown Hilton and separated from their families in an effort to shield them from news coverage and publicity about the case. The isolation and the pressures of the trial led to playful camaraderie and intense disagreement, but it also cemented friendships.

That special kinship was on display at the reunion, where jurors gathered on two floors of the spacious oceanfront home, taking in a spectacular view of the ocean while a baseball game played on a big-screen television. The home belongs to one of the juror’s friends.

“We’ve been through our share of good times and bad times,” jury foreman Almond said. “During off hours, we were taken on fishing trips, on a tour of Universal Studios and walks through Griffith Park. We got to be very close friends through all of this. It has become like a family.”

Saturday, “the family” began arriving in Sunset Beach about noon and by 7 p.m., they were ordering seafood for a celebratory dinner that they hope to repeat every year.

“I’ve enjoyed seeing everyone again,” Eckhardt said. “It’s been a good reunion. This group has some good friendships that have lasted through a trying experience. There was some good bonding.”