Damian Monroe Williams

Case details

Damian Monroe Williams (also known as Football) was born March 17, 1973. Williams was one of the four men referred to as the “L.A. Four,” along with Henry Watson, Antoine Miller and Gary Williams. They were responsible for the attack during the 1992 Los Angeles riots on truck driver Reginald Oliver Denny.

The offence

During the 1992 Los Angeles riots, rioters attacked truck driver Reginald Denny at the intersection of Florence and Normandie after violence escalated in the hours following residents hearing about the verdicts in the Rodney King beating case. Rioters jumped onto Denny’s rig, pulled Denny from the cab of his truck, and began to inflict a beating that was recorded from above by a news helicopter.

Damian Williams bashed Denny’s head with a cinder block, which knocked him unconscious. Williams then did a victory dance as he laughed and pointed at Denny. Williams flashed Crips gang signs at the news helicopter taping him from above.

Henry Keith Watson stood on Denny’s neck during the beating, and another rioter spat on him. A motorcyclist shot at the truck’s gas tank, but the shot missed.

Investigation and arrest

Damian Williams was arrested by Los Angeles police chief Daryl Gates himself after he started a search for them. Williams was arrested days later.

Trial

Williams was charged with attempted murder as well as assault and mayhem.

Williams was convicted of mayhem and misdemeanor assault.

The trial included arguments by Williams’s lawyers that Williams had not intended to kill Denny, with the lawyers arguing that the prosecutors were scapegoating the two. Williams escaped the most serious charges against him of attempted murder, assault and aggravated mayhem and was convicted instead of only four misdemeanors and simple mayhem.

Damian Williams was found guilty of one felony count of mayhem and several misdemeanor counts in the beating of Reginald Denny during the 1992 Los Angeles riots.

Sentencing

Williams was sentenced to 10 years for the convictions related to the beating of Reginald Denny.

In 1997, Williams was released for good behaviour.

On December 5, 2003, Williams received a life sentence for murdering Grover Tinner.

Other offences

In July 2000, Damian Williams murdered Grover Tinner, who was 48 years old and described as a drug dealer.

Williams was also convicted of participating in the 2000 murder of an L.A. drug dealer.

Outcome

Damian Monroe Williams was sentenced to 47 years to life in prison on December 5, 2003. He would not be eligible for parole until he served 47 years.

Williams was currently serving his sentence at Pelican Bay State Prison, according to California Corrections Department officials.

Timeline

• March 17, 1973 — Damian Monroe Williams was born.
• 1992 — The attack on truck driver Reginald Denny occurred during the Los Angeles riots.
• October 18, 1993 — Damian Williams waved to his mother on October 18, 1993, in court.
• 1997 — Williams was released for good behaviour.
• July 2000 — Grover Tinner, a 48-year-old drug dealer, was murdered.
• December 5, 2003 — Williams was sentenced to 47 years to life in prison for murdering Grover Tinner.

Other details

Williams became the most recognized participant of L.A. riots due to the live news broadcast of his attack on Denny and also possibly because of his memorable nickname.