Patti LaBelle's bodyguard cleared in cadet beating case

HOUSTON — A jury on Tuesday awarded no damages to the former West Point cadet who accused R&B legend Patti LaBelle's entourage of an unprovoked attack.

The attorney for Richard King says he left the Harris County federal courthouse "confused."

The jury reached its decision after almost 12 hours of deliberations.

King sued over an encounter at Bush Airport in 2011. He claims the singer's 400-pound bodyguard and two others roughed him up for no reason.

The incident was captured on the airport's surveillance cameras.

King had just returned home from spring break and was waiting for his family to pick him up.

He later dropped out of West Point because of a traumatic brain injury he says he suffered in the attack.

"We're stunned," said King's attorney, John Raley. "The videotape seemed very clear to everyone we've shown it to and seemed quite compelling so we really have no explanation for this."

LaBelle's attorneys say King was drunk when he began attacking LaBelle's son and was trying to get into her limo.

According to LaBelle's attorneys, King hurled racial insults at the singer.

"All of my clients were vindicated in this matter. That was their position all along. The perception they had was different than what the video showed," said defense attorney Philip Brinson.

LaBelle and her bodyguard were on a plane heading to Los Angeles when the jury reached its decision.

King's attorney couldn't say if there any plans for an appeal.