The Contested Murder of Latasha Harlins: Justice, Gender, and the Origins of the LA Riots

In The Contested Murder Of Latasha Harlins, Brenda Stevenson Tells The Dramatic Story Of An Earlier Trial, A Turning Point On The Road To The 1992 Riot. On March 16, 1991, Fifteen-year-old Latasha Harlins, An African American Who Lived Locally, Entered The Empire Liquor Market At 9172 South Figueroa Street In South Central Los Angeles. Behind The Counter Was A Korean Woman Named Soon Ja Du. Latasha Walked To The Refrigerator Cases In The Back, Took A Bottle Of Orange Juice, Put It In Her Backpack, And Approached The Cash Register With Two Dollar Bills In Her Hand-the Price Of The Juice. Moments Later She Was Face-down On The Floor With A Bullet Hole In The Back Of Her Head, Shot Dead By Du. Joyce Karlin, A Jewish Superior Court Judge Appointed By Republican Governor Pete Wilson, Presided Over The Resulting Manslaughter Trial. A Jury Convicted Du, But Karlin Sentenced Her Only To Probation, Community Service, And A $500 Fine. The Author Meticulously Reconstructs These Events And Their Aftermath, Showing How They Set The Stage For The Explosion In 1992.--www.amazon.com. 'tasha : The Girl With The Wonderful Smile -- Soon Ja Du : She Had A Good Life In Korea -- March 16, 1991 : Not Just Another Saturday In South Central -- People V. Du : I Would Dream Of Closing Arguments -- People V. Du : Sentencing -- Whose Fire This Time? -- Epilogue : Justice? Brenda E. Stevenson. Includes Bibliographical References And Index.