General Discussion

cali

(114,904 posts) Wed May 9, 2012, 06:56 PM May 2012

Kelly Thomas case: Two Fullerton cops ordered to stand trial

May 9, 2012 | 2:29 pm

An Orange County Superior Court judge today ordered two Fullerton police officers to stand trial in the 2011 death of Kelly Thomas, a mentally ill homeless man.

Officer Manuel Ramos, 38, is charged with second-degree murder and involuntary manslaughter. Cpl. Jay Cicinelli, 40, is charged with involuntary manslaughter and using excessive force.

Although their defense attorneys suggested emergency medical workers -- not the police officers -- caused Thomas' death by failing to provide prompt care, Judge Walter Schwarm determined after a three-day preliminary hearing that there is enough probable cause for the case to go to trial.

Orange County Dist. Atty. Tony Rackauckas presented the case himself, playing a dramatic, never-before-seen video that showed a shirtless Thomas being pummeled and held down by Fullerton police officers. As the video played in court, many in the audience gasped and groaned. Some stood up and walked out. (It also may be disturbing to some readers.)

The 37-year-old Thomas can be heard screaming, "Dad, they are killing me." He repeatedly shouts, "I'm sorry. I'm sorry."

<snip>

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2012/05/kelly-thomas-case-two-fullerton-cops-ordered-to-stand-trial.html

9 replies

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Kelly Thomas case: Two Fullerton cops ordered to stand trial (Original Post) cali May 2012 OP

I hope those responsible for this go away for the rest of their days..n/t monmouth May 2012 #1

that tape is not going to sit well with the jury.. frylock May 2012 #2

If they get to see it. Don't count on defense attorneys and judges from abstaining AnotherMcIntosh May 2012 #7

When the cop says, "See my fists, I'm getting ready to fuck you up." KansDem May 2012 #3

Throw away the keys malaise May 2012 #4

Good. freshwest May 2012 #5

That's good... ljm2002 May 2012 #6

Good, as they should stand trial for beating Kelly to death. underseasurveyor May 2012 #8

"Put your hands behind your back." "Put your hands behind your back." Then they don't let him AnotherMcIntosh May 2012 #9

monmouth

(21,078 posts)

1. I hope those responsible for this go away for the rest of their days..n/t

Reply to cali (Original post)

Wed May 9, 2012, 07:06 PM

May 2012

frylock

(34,825 posts)

2. that tape is not going to sit well with the jury..

Reply to cali (Original post)

Wed May 9, 2012, 07:11 PM

May 2012

i hope these shitheads receive the same treatment in prison that they dispensed on the street.

AnotherMcIntosh

(11,064 posts)

7. If they get to see it. Don't count on defense attorneys and judges from abstaining

Reply to frylock (Reply #2)

Wed May 9, 2012, 09:34 PM

May 2012

from taking a position which may be contrary to that of the general public.

Defense attorneys will seek to cause endless delays and will make every effort to exclude it from any jury's consideration.

A trial judge, "to be fair" and follow his interpretation of the law, might exclude it. If not, the appellate court judges may get a crack at it.

KansDem

(28,498 posts)

3. When the cop says, "See my fists, I'm getting ready to fuck you up."

Reply to cali (Original post)

Wed May 9, 2012, 07:12 PM

May 2012

...it's time to defend one's self, because he is out to kill.

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2012/05/kelly-thomas-beating-judge-may-rule-on-fullerton-officers-trial.html

malaise

(269,157 posts)

4. Throw away the keys

Reply to cali (Original post)

Wed May 9, 2012, 07:22 PM

May 2012

Fugg 'em

freshwest

(53,661 posts)

5. Good.

Reply to cali (Original post)

Wed May 9, 2012, 07:28 PM

May 2012

ljm2002

(10,751 posts)

6. That's good...

Reply to cali (Original post)

Wed May 9, 2012, 07:32 PM

May 2012

...the wheels of justice are turning slowly in this case, but at least they're turning.

underseasurveyor

(6,428 posts)

8. Good, as they should stand trial for beating Kelly to death.

Reply to cali (Original post)

Wed May 9, 2012, 09:45 PM

May 2012

District Attorney Rackaukas is a good guy and the fact that he has stepped in and taken such a personal interest says a lot. If a D.A. is disturbed then you know something really, really wrong has occurred.

The defense strategy to blame the EMS, I would hope, will backfire. If those cops hadn't severely beaten that man he wouldn't have needed life saving measures.

This is one jury I would have liked to be on.

AnotherMcIntosh

(11,064 posts)

9. "Put your hands behind your back." "Put your hands behind your back." Then they don't let him