Civil Liberties

Rodney King Died in an Accidental Drowning

Coroner says King had marijuana, cocaine, and alcohol in his system

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The death of Rodney King, whose beating by white policemen led to deadly riots in Los Angeles 20 years ago, has been ruled an accidental drowning.

The 47-year-old was also in a state of "delirium" induced by the alcohol and cocaine, PCP and marijuana in his system when he died, a coroner said.

Police pulled King from the bottom of his swimming pool early on 17 June, and pronounced him dead at hospital.