Release of King From Parole Recommended to State Panel

A state official recommended that Rodney G. King be released from parole, describing King as more responsible and mature despite several brushes with the law.

“He’s made favorable progress,” said Jerome Di Maggio, regional parole administrator for the state Department of Corrections. “He’s been OK, relatively. He doesn’t have a very significant criminal history, considering what we usually see with people on parole.”

King, 27, whose 1991 beating by Los Angeles police officers was videotaped by a bystander, has been on parole for a robbery conviction since he was released from prison two years ago.

Di Maggio said Thursday he expects the state to release King from parole, adding that the decision could come next week.

Di Maggio said that King’s attorney, Milton Grimes, has been monitoring his conduct and that King stands to receive a large sum in a settlement with the city of Los Angeles over the beating. Grimes was not available for comment.

“There are a lot of controls on his life situation now,” Di Maggio said, adding that King is a “high-profile individual” who was subjected to intense scrutiny while on parole.

State officials said that the letter from King’s parole officer requesting his discharge is under review.

“Typically, what they will look at is the person’s behavior on parole,” said Christine May, spokeswoman for the state Department of Corrections. “Obviously, the parole agent’s recommendations are taken into consideration--but the administrative hearing officers will make an independent decision.”

King was paroled two years ago after a prison term for using a tire iron to rob a convenience store.