Trial in Police Beating Death of Kelly Thomas Ends, Heads to Jury

After five weeks of testimony, it's now up to a jury to decide whether two former Fullerton, Calif., police officers should be found guilty of beating homeless Kelly Thomas to death in 2011.

From the Associated Press:

A jury has started deliberations in the case of two police officers accused in the death of a homeless man who died after a violent struggle during his arrest in California.

The jury got the case Thursday after closing arguments ended in the five-week trial.

Former Fullerton police officer Manuel Ramos has pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder and involuntary manslaughter.

Former police corporal Jay Cicinelli has pleaded not guilty to involuntary manslaughter and excessive force.

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Comments

[Creme Fraiche]

One of the local AM radio show's reports from their legal expert makes it seem like the defense did a mediocre job. I'd be shocked if the officers weren't found guilty.

[Invisible Finger]

If the police are found not guilty, will there be an outpouring of retards in the street-, rioting, looting, and pulling drivers from their trucks to kick the shit out of them??

(These would be the retards that are not issued badges and guns.)

[Paul.]

If those drivers are cops...

[playa manhattan]

It's Fullerton. No.

[Homple]

Palefaces can't jump, dance, or riot.

[SusanM]

Should be - but won't. Maybe they might get punished for littering. Maybe.

[Cyto]

I still can't fathom how the bully who started the whole thing escaped criminal charges. He actually harasses the victim repeatedly trying to provoke a reaction, then shakes his fist in his face and tells him "this is gonna fuck you up" - and shortly thereafter he and his buddies beat the man to death. All of it caught on tape. What the heck do you have to do to prove intent? He said he was going to fuck him up, then proceeded to do so - and the guy died. How is he not being charged with first degree murder?

[Homple]

"I still can't fathom how the bully who started the whole thing escaped criminal charges."

Union bargain with the prosecution? The cops and prosecutor work together, you know, and the union certainly wants as few peasants as possible tossed out of the sleigh and as gently as possible. Also, to ensure that the chucked-out are the least important peasants from the union point of view.

[Copernicus]

5 weeks?

Whose the judge, Lance Ito?

[Copernicus]

Sorry, Who is = Who's