Name the Last Thing L.A. Needs : Right . . . yet another long, divisive trial on the Rodney King beating issue

The last thing Los Angeles needs is another high-profile, racially charged trial related to the police beating of Rodney G. King. The City Council, confronted with a civil lawsuit filed by King, must continue to pursue an out-of-court agreement with his lawyers to avoid yet another court ordeal.

In the 2 1/2 years since the beating, this city has suffered through three controversial trials stemming directly or indirectly from the King incident. The state trial of the four officers accused of using excessive force put the city on edge, and then the acquittals in that case led to the nation’s worst rioting of this century. Later, the federal civil rights trial, which ended in two convictions, again heightened tensions, prompting a run on gun stores and leading to a preventive police buildup.

Today, the city warily monitors the trial of the men accused of assaulting truck driver Reginald Denny during the 1992 riots. This volatile case could prompt another state of high alert.

Can’t Los Angeles be spared another round? King has the right to seek damages from this city; the beating was wrong. But how much money King should get is best determined by his attorneys and the city’s--not by a civil trial, now scheduled to begin in March. There is still plenty of time to reach a settlement. And settle the parties must.

It’s true that the council cannot afford to buy peace at any cost. But surely a majority can agree on a sum that fairly compensates King.

On King’s part, compromising could be more in his interests than taking a chance with a trial.

Another trial would force this region and the nation to again relive that ugly beating. Another public rehash of what happened on March 3, 1991, could exacerbate old fears and reopen old wounds. Another police buildup would cost millions that could be better spent on beefing up the day-to-day police presence across the city.

During the riots, Rodney King made an impassioned plea: “Can we all get along?” We can. We must. As this city seeks to heal itself and rebuild, we must put the bitterness behind us.