Thread: Homeless Man Dies After Being Brutally Beaten by Five Fuller

2 Police Officers Charged in Death of Calif Man


Attorney Garo Mardirossian shows stun gun projectiles during a news conference, Sept. 7, 2011, in Los Angeles. Mardirossian, the attorney for the family of Kelly Thomas, pictured at right, a mentally ill man who died following a violent confrontation with six Fullerton police officers has released his medical records, saying he died of blunt head trauma that led to brain death. (Jebb Harris/The Orange County Register/Zuma Press)

By AMY TAXIN and GREG RISLING Associated Press
SANTA ANA, Calif. September 21, 2011 (AP)

Prosecutors charged one police officer with murder and another with manslaughter Wednesday in the killing of an unarmed, mentally ill homeless man who was pummeled, shocked with a Taser and slammed with the butt of a stun gun in a beating that lasted nearly 10 minutes.

Fullerton 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 with officers on July 5, Orange County District Attorney Tony Rackauckas said at a news conference.

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

A review of the evidence, including audio from the officers' body microphones and surveillance video, showed Thomas was acting "in self-defense, in pain and in a state of panic," Rackauckas said.

"His numerous pleas of 'I'm sorry,' 'I can't breathe,' 'Help Dad' (were) all to no avail. Screams, loud screams, didn't help," the prosecutor said.

Lorie Fridell, an associate professor of criminology at the University of South Florida, said it is highly unusual for a police officer to be charged with murder.

"It is quite appropriate in such cases to hold officers to account," Fridell said. "Often, however, prosecutors will give officers the benefit of the doubt."

Calif. Officers Charged in Man's Death Watch Video

Suspect in Beating of Homeless in Custody Watch Video

Cop's Son Attacks Homeless Man Watch Video

Citing the video and audio recordings, Rackauckas said Thomas appeared to be cognitively impaired as officers approached him. He was shirtless and wearing just a backpack as Ramos made a show of putting on Latex gloves before ordering him to put his hands on his knees.

"He made two fists with his gloves on, two fists. He lifted his fists in front of Kelly Thomas so he could see them and he said, 'Now see my fists? They are getting ready to (expletive) you up,'" Rackauckas said. "That's when it went from a fairly routine investigation, a fairly routine police detention, to an impending beating by an angry police officer."

Ramos allegedly swung his baton at Thomas but it was unclear if he hit him. The prosecutor said Ramos then chased Thomas, eventually punching him in his ribs and tackling him before holding down his neck and laying on top of Thomas to pin him down.

The coroner listed the cause of death as mechanical compression of the thorax, which made it impossible for Thomas to breathe normally and deprived his brain of oxygen, Rackauckas said. Other injuries to the face and head contributed to the death, the prosecutor said.

Cicinelli, who arrived on the scene later, kneed Thomas twice in the head and used a Taser four times on him as he screamed and yelled in pain, Rackauckas said, adding that Cicinelli hit Thomas in the face eight times with the Taser, and Thomas didn't respond.

"When Kelly didn't scream in response to these blows it should have indicated to Cicinelli that Kelly was down and seriously hurt," he said.

Rackauckas, a longtime prosecutor known for his strong backing of law enforcement, said it was the first time he had filed charges against police officers for excessive force leading to death.

"Police officers have a right to use reasonable force in the performance of a lawful duty but citizens have a right to self-defense, even against the police," he said.

Ron Thomas, Kelly Thomas' father, cheered as he watched the prosecutor's news conference on TV with a group of supporters. He later said he was pleased with the charges.

"That's exactly what I hoped for," he said in a phone interview. "It makes me feel fantastic that this is happening, it's the justice we need."

Still, he said he suffers every day as a result of his son's death.

Ramos' attorney, John Barnett, said the charges were unfounded and disputed Rackauckas' accounts of events. Thomas violently resisted arrest by kicking and swinging at officers, he said, adding that he had seen the same video cited by the prosecutor.

In response to claims that Ramos put on latex gloves and told Thomas he was going to hurt him, Barnett characterized his client's attempt to get compliance as "the lowest type of force."

"It was an attempt by the officer to use words not force to get the suspect to do what he's supposed to do," Barnett said. "He sought to avoid physical confrontation with words. There was no compliance by Mr. Thomas."

Bill Hadden, an attorney representing Cicinelli, didn't immediately return a call for comment. A call to a home number for Ramos rang unanswered.

Arraignment was scheduled later Wednesday.

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. The other officers were not charged Wednesday and were not expected to be charged.

Thomas suffered severe head and neck injuries and was taken off life support five days after the incident.

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 and 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 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.

News reports indicate Cicinelli left the Los Angeles Police Department after losing an eye in 1996 while working as a probationary officer.

Cicinelli, who was 25 at the time, was shot during an on-duty gunfight during a traffic stop less than three weeks after graduating from the Police Academy, according to a 1997 article in the Los Angeles Times.

If convicted of all charges, Ramos could face a maximum sentence of 15 years to life in prison. Cicinelli could face a maximum sentence of four years if convicted.

Associated Press Writers Gillian Flaccus in Orange County and Thomas Watkins and Jeff Wilson in Los Angeles contributed to this report.

http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/kell ... ='nofollow

IMO they thought they'd get away with it since Thomas couldn't use the race card, which is being used by everyone and their uncle right now.

In response to claims that Ramos put on latex gloves and told Thomas he was going to hurt him, Barnett characterized his client's attempt to get compliance as "the lowest type of force."

"It was an attempt by the officer to use words not force to get the suspect to do what he's supposed to do," Barnett said. "He sought to avoid physical confrontation with words. There was no compliance by Mr. Thomas."

Riiiiight I'm sorry but putting on latex gloves and telling him you're going to hurt him is NOT using "words" when you actually kill the man! Sounds like premeditation to me.

Ramos' attorney, John Barnett, said the charges were unfounded and disputed Rackauckas' accounts of events. Thomas violently resisted arrest by kicking and swinging at officers, he said, adding that he had seen the same video cited by the prosecutor.

Well DUH! He was being beaten to death! It's called defending yourself, for God's sake!

Cicinelli, who arrived on the scene later, kneed Thomas twice in the head and used a Taser four times on him as he screamed and yelled in pain, Rackauckas said, adding that Cicinelli hit Thomas in the face eight times with the Taser, and Thomas didn't respond.

"When Kelly didn't scream in response to these blows it should have indicated to Cicinelli that Kelly was down and seriously hurt," he said.

Which is it? Tased 4 times as he screamed and yelled in pain...or hit and tasered 8 times in silence? Ya can't have it both ways bub.

Reasonable force yes, murder NO! The cops got what they derserved!

I think that they were brutish animals filled with their own self importance an power. I hope they are found guilty and get to see some of the folks they have sent up soon.

There is a big thing going on in California about this. I was there this past week and saw it on the local news channel but didn't have time to get more into it...it seems the national news media isn't picking up on it though.

Just like i said before if this was my son id be the one on trial here and these guys wouldnt be walking around no more.

Originally Posted by AirborneSapper7

.

Fullerton 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 with officers on July 5, Orange County District Attorney Tony Rackauckas said at a news conference.

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

What I want to know is, why aren't these killers being charged with FIRST degree murder charges.

I got choked up when I read in one of the articles that Kelly Thomas cried out for his dad as these thug asses were beating him to death.

I hope the bubba's in prison show these murdering fools the same courtesy they showed Kelly.

Police Torture Man To Death For Fun

Alex Jones
May 10, 2012

Editor’s note: The first video below is Alex Jones’ take on the horrific beating followed by the video released by the city of Fullerton, California.



RT posted the video released to the public of the murder:

2nd Video: Psychopathic Police Beat to Death Homeless Man Kelly Thomas - YouTube





» Police Torture Man To Death For Fun Alex Jones' Infowars: There's a war on for your mind!


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That is so sick....and it seems more and more instead of trying to help the neediest ones in our society, we are acting like certain bird types who peck on wounded members of their own species instead of trying to help them....sad.

I wouldn't want to be any of those cops on Judgement Day!!

Originally Posted by sacredrage

That is so sick....and it seems more and more instead of trying to help the neediest ones in our society, we are acting like certain bird types who peck on wounded members of their own species instead of trying to help them....sad.

I wouldn't want to be any of those cops on Judgement Day!!

And it doesn't end there this abuse by police officers is happening all over the country..

Colorado Farmer David Goss Faces Four Years in Prison — For Being Shot by a Cop

Posted on 07 May 2012 by William Grigg

Calhan, Colorado resident David Goss, who was shot in the stomach by El Paso County Deputy Sheriff Jeff Shulz after he had order the intruder to leave, faces a four-year prison sentence. Goss, who was tasered and shot in the abdomen at close range, was convicted of second-degree assault, menacing, disarming an officer, attempting to disarm an officer, and obstructing justice.

On the evening of June 16, Deputy Shulz responded to a call from a woman who had been chased away after she and several friends accidentally trespassed on his farm. Goss, who had suffered a series of robberies and received no help from the Sheriff’s Office, was sitting in his pickup at the end of a long driveway when Shulz arrived. Goss had been abrupt and inhospitable in dealing with the unwanted visitors, and his mood didn’t improve when Shulz showed up. He displayed some asperity in ordering the deputy from his property.

According to Shulz’s original account, Goss approached his vehicle in a “menacing” fashion, which prompted the officer to whirl around and shoot him with a Taser. A struggle then ensued in which the deputy – despite being larger and younger than the farmer – supposedly wound up pinned to the ground on his back as Goss repeatedly beat him with his own radio and threatened to kill him. At that point, according to Shulz, he shot the farmer in self-defense.

That was not the first version of the story told by Shulz, Furthermore, eyewitnesses told a very different story: In that account, Shulz had drawn his gun and was struggling with Goss while firing wildly. One of the rounds struck the car being driven by Goss’s wife, who – worried for her husband –had come down the driveway. After shooting Goss in the stomach, Shulz attempted to shoot him again, but the gun misfired. According to witnesses, Shulz – visibly agitated and muttering to himself — spent several minutes driving in circles in his police vehicle, without calling for an ambulance. Shulz also threatened several eyewitnesses on the scene.

Confronted about his inconsistencies on the witness stand, Shulz — a paragon of self-pity who was reduced to blubbering at several points during the trial — insisted that “the situation was chaotic …. So if I don’t remember something that’s normal and typical.” In a sense, he’s correct: Since cops are trained and expected to lie, self-serving perjury of this kind is entirely normal and typical.

Defense attorney Geoffrey Heim produced photographs of Deputy Shulz after the incident showing that there was dust on the left leg of his trousers, but none on his back. Prosecutor Tanya Karimi insisted that Shulz was “mistaken” about how he had landed on the ground, and that he was on his side when the struggle took place. However, Shulz himself claimed that Goss was kneeling on his chest at the time of the shooting.

At the sentencing hearing, a tearful Shulz continued to wallow in his bottomless sense of victimhood.

“You caused me more pain than you can imagine,” simpered Shulz, addressing the farmer he had attempted to murder. “I have no pity for you even though I know that I should.”

Shulz’s petulant lachrymosity was matched by the arrogant sanctimony of Presiding Judge William Bain, who said that the “message” delivered by caging an innocent farmer for the “crime” of being assaulted by a uniformed tax-feeder was that “if you get in a fight with a cop you’re going to go to prison.”

On the other hand, cops who simply murder a citizen after breaking into his home can expect … nothing, except, perhaps, their next scheduled raise.

Kenneth Chamberlain, a 68-year-old retired Marine from White Plains, New York, was murdered by police in his own home last November 16 after his medic alert pendant accidentally went off.

When the EMTs responded, the police tagged along. For over an hour, the police demanded that Chamberlain open his door. He told them to leave. That was a lawful order the police are required to obey. Rather than doing so, they busted down the door, tasered the elderly man, and gunned him down. One of the officers used a derogatory ethnic slur to refer to the elderly Marine, who was black.

No criminal charges have been filed against any of the cops who murdered Chamberlain.
http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2012/05/...h-chamberlain/

Apparently, police can invade our property and kill us without cause — or have us sent to prison if we survive.
http://www.democracynow.org/2012/5/4...ill_us_kenneth

A source close to the Goss family told Republic that the farmer will appeal his conviction — but that by the time the matter works its way through the legal system, Goss will already have served his sentence. the source also said that the family is declining public comment out of fear that public criticism of the Colorado “justice” system may result in a retaliatory prison assignment that could endanger the health and safety of the 52-year-old farmer.

Because the purported “victim” in this matter was a police officer, Goss was taken directly from the courthouse to a cell. Meanwhile, Jeff Shulz — a proven perjurer whose behavior suggests a capacity for pathological violence — remains on duty.

David Goss Faces Four Years in Prison -- For Being Shot by a Cop REPUBLIC MAGAZINE | THE VOICE OF THE PATRIOT MOVEMENT

Video of Kelly Thomas beating to bring cops to justice?



May 9, 2012 by RTAmerica

The brutal beating of Kelly Thomas has two Fullerton, California police officers potentially facing second-degree murder and involuntary manslaughter charges. Thomas, a homeless schizophrenic man, was brutally beaten to death by officers Manuel Ramos and Jay Cicinelli in July of 2011.

Thomas died five days later after he was taken off life support and much of the evidence against the two officers is on video tape recorded by witnesses. Tim Cavanaugh, managing editor for Reason.Com, joins us to explain how video taping law enforcement is a must.