LA police trial delayed

LOS ANGELES (Reuter) - The trial of four white police officers from the city accused of violating the rights of a black motorist, Rodney King, ran into trouble on Tuesday following allegations that a black juror privately accused the defence of trying to keep blacks off the panel.

Lawyers for three of the four officers asked for a mistrial during a closed-door hearing called by Judge John Davies to investigate the charges.

Opening arguments in the racially charged case had been scheduled to begin yesterday, but lawyers said they would not now begin until today at the earliest. A more likely date was tomorrow, or even next Monday, they said.