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January 14, 2014

California: Police Officers Acquitted in Beating Death of Homeless Man 
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In California, a jury has acquitted two former Fullerton police officers
of all charges in the beating death of a mentally ill homeless man in
2011. Manuel Ramos and Jay Cicinelli were charged with battering Kelly
Thomas with a baton and a stun gun, leaving him comatose. Thomas died
days later. The incident was captured on surveillance video that appears
to show police threatening Thomas as he sits on the ground, then beating
him, even though he appears to show no resistance. Thomas can be heard
on the video pleading for help, apologizing and saying he cannot
breathe. Prosecutors have decided not to pursue charges against a third
officer accused in the incident. Thomas' father reacted to Monday's
verdict in an interview with local news station KNX 1070.

Ron Thomas: "I'm feeling horrible. The injustice is — it's just
unbelievable. Completely innocent on all counts. I mean they brutally
beat him to death, we've all seen that. But yet they're innocent on all
counts. Unreal."

Following the verdict, protesters carrying candles gathered at the
transit depot in Fullerton where Thomas was fatally beaten.

 

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