Home > California Death Records > 2 police officers charged in death of Calif man

2 police officers charged in death of Calif man

Two police officers were charged in the death of a mentally ill homeless man in Southern California who was beaten and repeatedly shocked with a stun gun during his arrest, authorities said Wednesday.

Orange County District Attorney Tony Rackauckas said Officer Manuel Ramos was charged with one count each of second-degree murder and involuntary manslaughter in the death of 37-year-old Kelly Thomas after a violent confrontation on July 5 with officers.

Police Cpl. Jay Cicinelli was charged with one count each of involuntary manslaughter and excessive force.

The prosecutors said Thomas was acting “in self-defense, in pain and in a state of panic. His numerous pleas of `I’m sorry,’ `I can’t breathe,’ `Help’ `Dad’ — all to no avail. Screams, loud screams, didn’t help.”

Six officers were placed on paid administrative leave after the incident that occurred while police were investigating reported vehicle break-ins at a transit hub.

Thomas suffered severe head and neck injuries and was taken off life support five days later.

Thomas suffered from schizophrenia and lived on the streets even though he received support from family and friends.

Police said Thomas ran when officers tried to search his bag. A struggle followed when they tried to arrest him for investigation of possession of stolen goods.

Video from a bystander’s cell phone taken from a distance showed parts of the bloody encounter in which Thomas can be heard screaming for his father.

Surveillance video aboard a bus showed agitated passengers telling the driver that officers beat and repeatedly used a stun gun during the arrest.

After the incident, the police chief went on medical leave and the embattled City Council hired a law enforcement expert to investigate Police Department practices.

Incensed community members held demonstrations and started an effort to recall the mayor and two councilmembers over the incident.

Ron Thomas, the father of the dead man, filed a claim seeking damages from the city.

He has previously released his son’s medical records showing Thomas suffered broken bones in his face, choked on his own blood and was repeatedly shocked with two stun guns.

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  1. claeroplane
    October 4th, 2011 at 14:14 | #1

    Involuntary …
    Involuntary manslaughter? What exactly did these officers do involuntarily?

  2. michaelsterling37
    October 4th, 2011 at 14:14 | #2

    How about the ones …
    How about the ones who watch like cowards? All should be held accountable.

  3. bilechild
    October 4th, 2011 at 14:14 | #3

    They try to act …
    They try to act like this is rare. it happens more often than any of us will know. a plot of human terror unfold behind the precinct doors, to cage all the minorities, the immigrants and poor, next the hunt down the handicap, disabled, blind or deaf, and what are these piggies going to do, when there’s no one left?

  4. CopsAreTerrorists
    October 4th, 2011 at 14:14 | #4

    4 cops hold down …
    4 cops hold down Kelly Thomas so 2 cops can torture and beat Kelly Thomas for 10 minutes resulting in his murder. And only 2 cops are being charged.

    4+2=2

    That’s how you do math when you’re the Orange County District Attorney (Tony Rackauckas) and you’re in the Police Unions back pocket.

    Over the course of 8 years Orange County District Attorney Tony Rackauckas received THOUSANDS of complaints against Fullerton cops and didn’t prosecute one cop; that’s statistically impossible.

  5. dan32749
    October 4th, 2011 at 14:14 | #5

    @dabay1415 Wow you …
    @dabay1415 Wow you are so right they are a bunch of little kids man, and it sure does happen everyday to i have been framed, robbed and beaten by the cops here in chicago same with alot of people i know everyone’s first reaction when they get stopped is fear no matter who you are or what your situation is they are the biggest and most feared gang here and everyone knows it. Welcome to the beginning of 1984 it’s gonna get alot worst before it gets better.

  6. dan32749
    October 4th, 2011 at 14:14 | #6

    @dabay1415 Wow you …
    @dabay1415 Wow you are so right they are a bunch of little kids man, and it sure does happen everyday to i have been framed, robbed and beaten by the cops here in chicago same with alot of people i know everyone’s first reaction when they get stopped is fear no matter who you are or what your situation is they are the biggest and most feared gang here and everyone knows it. Welcome to the beginning of 1984 it’s gonna get alot worst before it gets better.

  7. dan32749
    October 4th, 2011 at 14:15 | #7

    Wow good job people …
    Wow good job people of california good job prosacuter your actually doing your job that’s amazing here in chicago the cops do whatever they want they are bad people everytime they get you it’s never a good encounter they will beat, frame,and steal from you like it ain’t shit. i know this from personal experiance.

  8. monkeyeats
    October 4th, 2011 at 14:15 | #8

    They should get …
    They should get death like everyone else u pig bastards !!!!

  9. muchogoocho
    October 4th, 2011 at 14:15 | #9

    fuckin’ gm humans …
    fuckin’ gm humans strike again

  10. THESOLID13
    October 4th, 2011 at 14:15 | #10

    Good this days you …
    Good this days you can’t just trust cop anymore where is the citizen trust

  11. 1415sanfran1415
    October 4th, 2011 at 14:15 | #11

    @dabay1415 …
    @dabay1415 fagget no one asked crippled

  12. dabay1415
    October 4th, 2011 at 14:15 | #12

    fuck the police all …
    the police all their super powers should be taken from them, why give little kids weapons and give them the right to go around with everyone? doesn’t make sense, police brutality happens everyday this is just an example of an incident taken too far, but it happens everyday i believe the title and privileges should be given to a selective few that have proven that they care about people and not just want to around, thank you

  13. dabay1415
    October 4th, 2011 at 14:15 | #13

    allegedly I heard …
    allegedly I heard the two officers will get raped and brutally killed in prison

  14. wontonga
    October 4th, 2011 at 14:15 | #14

    What’s this ” …
    What’s this ” created a high risk of death” What BULL!
    With anyone else beating and chocking a man to death is called MURDER!

  15. jacklee916
    October 4th, 2011 at 14:15 | #15

    hahaha, thats what …
    hahaha, thats what those dirty cops get for thinking they can do what they want just cause they got a badge.. dont drop the soap pigs…

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