No Fire This Time

EVEN WITHOUT A VIDEOTAPE, THE BLOOD AND THE brain matter that stained a Detroit street provided a brutal picture, evoking memories of the infamous Rodney King beating. But unlike L.A., Detroit has remained calm as local police, the U.S. Justice Department and the FBI investigate the killing of Malice Green by police on Nov. 5. Green was stopped by two white cops, who then allegedly beat him with flashlights while other cops, one black and four white, watched or participated. Police said Green had parked near a suspected crack cocaine house.

With the fires of L.A. and of Detroit's 1967 riots still burning in their memories, Detroit officials reacted swiftly, suspending seven officers, some of whom a county prosecutor says will face criminal charges. So far, the beating has inspired not rage but reflection and muted anger. On Tuesday some 300 people attended a prayer vigil, and on Thursday more than 1,500 came to Green's funeral.