2 Calif. Police Officers Face Murder and Manslaughter Charges in Beating Death of Homeless Man
Two Fullerton, Calif., police officers are facing unusual criminal charges concerning their on-duty conduct toward a homeless schizophrenic man while responding to an auto break-in report.
The 37-year-old man, Kelly Thomas, died of head trauma after being beaten and repeatedly shocked by a group of responding police officers, the district attorney’s office said. Witnesses said Thomas was on the ground and not resisting, reports the L.A. Now blog of the Los Angeles Times.
Today Orange County District Attorney Tony Rackauckas announced that Officer Manuel Ramos is facing second-degree murder and involuntary manslaughter charges and Officer Jay Cicinelli is facing involuntary manslaughter and excessive use of force charges.
The article doesn’t include any comment from the defendants or their counsel.
