Officers Acquitted In Beating Death of Homeless Man
SANTA ANA, Calif. (AP) - Two former California police officers were acquitted Monday in the death of a homeless man after a violent struggle with officers that was captured on surveillance video.
It
was a rare case in which police officers were charged with a death involving
actions on duty.
Former
Fullerton police officer Manuel Ramos was acquitted of second-degree murder and
involuntary manslaughter. Former Cpl. Jay Cicinelli was acquitted of involuntary
manslaughter and excessive use of force.
Cincinelli
embraced his lawyer and put his face in his hands as the verdict concluded.
Outside
court, Thomas's parents condemned the verdict.
"Just
horrified," Cathy Thomas said. "He got away with murdering my son. It's just not
fair. So I guess it's legal to go out and kill now. He was so innocent. It just
isn't fair at all."
Ron
Thomas said the defense "lied ... continuously" about his son's character, such
as his drug use.
"It's
carte blanche for police officers everywhere to beat us, kill us" because the
verdict proves "they'll get away with it."
Thomas
was taken off life support five days after the July 5, 2011, scuffle with
several officers.
A
third officer is awaiting trial. Three others were not charged.
Four-term
Orange County District Attorney Tony Rackauckas tried the current case himself,
a sign of its importance.
Thomas'
death led to days of protests in Fullerton, a Southern California college town,
forced the recall of three City Council members and led the police chief to step
down.
Dozens
of Thomas supporters, who called themselves "Kelly's Army," packed the courtroom
each day of the five-week trial wearing yellow ribbons and buttons bearing his
image. Ron Thomas said his son suffered from schizophrenia and didn't understand
the orders from police.
The
surveillance video was key evidence at trial and was played repeatedly by
attorneys for both sides. The 33-minute video begins shortly after Ramos pulled
up in his patrol car and continues well past the end of the struggle, capturing
the officers' exchanges as Thomas lies unconscious in a pool of blood and
paramedics work to revive him.
The
incident began when Ramos responded to a routine call about a disheveled man
jiggling the handles of car doors in a busy Fullerton transit center parking
lot.
~~~~~~
Who's surprised?
6 comments:
The victim should have just told the officers that their actions were unConstitutional. That would have solved everything...!
Anyone still think we're going to vote our way out of this? Anyone still think there's any sort of rule of law left?
Beuller? Beuller?
Who will protect us from those who protect us?
Did you protest the Martin decision too? I wasn't in the juryroom but would trust their decision more than the speculation of one who isn't in possession of the same facts.
Anon... Did you watch the video of the Thomas beating from way back in July of 2011?
The Martin case and the Thomas case are in no way alike and have absolutely nothing to do with each other.
Thanks for stopping by! :)
Indeed I saw the video just as I saw other videos that mean zero without having access to all of the video. And just as the Martin case was protrayed by the media I see the same thing here.
Thanks for allowing me to post my opinion. Its your blog and its nice to see someone who will tolerate other opinions.
Your opinion is always welcome here, even when we don't agree.
I found it interesting how the media did everything in their power to portray Trayvon as an angelic little prince who was sought out and murdered because he was black. They carried that portrayal for over a year. They still do. Trayvon was a thug.
Kelly Thomas, on the other hand, was portrayed as a drug adled violent street person with no redeeming qualities. He was beat to death by the State, on camera, and it was deemed legitimate. I don't believe that any normal person could watch the video of his killing from beginning to end and not believe that excessive force was used, leading unnecessarily to his death. Kelly Thomas was killed for sport. Had Kelly's father not been a retired deputy Sheriff, his case would have never seen the light of day. It would have been long ago forgotten.
It is hard to admit that we may have marauding bands of cops in this country, killing citizens without reason. But we do. In America. Land of Due Process and Liberty. Though it may not (yet) be sanctioned by the State, it is allowed by the State. That should scare the beejezuss out of any Citizen.
Have a great day!
Post a Comment