So, what if the jury found the police officers who beat King guilty? Say the State had been more convincing, or the trial had taken place in Los Angeles?
I believe that if the officers had been found guilty, and had been sentenced to anywhere fron 2-5 years; that might have placated the black community. The outcome in OTL closely mirrored the Mcduffie riots in Miami in 1980. As for Chessman, the only thing I know about that is the movie with Talia Shire in it, and I thought he was convicted of rape.
Guilty of what,* and what sentencing? Anything less than life and SOME rioting will occur, even if it's more cynical (new tv), less righteous (burning).
*-EDIT-Meaning 1st or 2nd degree assault, grevious, aggravated, attempted murder? Even kidnapping can be thrown in. California's laws on that crime are, IIRC, draconian, if applied. Chessman was executed for kidnapping.