Local Ex-Fullerton Officers Found Not Guilty In Beating Death Of Kelly Thomas
An 8-woman, 4-man jury found two former Fullerton police officers not guilty in the beating death of a homeless man.
After about eight hours of deliberation over two days, former Fullerton police Officer Manuel Ramos and ex-Corporal Jay Cicinelli, a former LAPD officer, were acquitted of all charges in connection with the beating death of 37-year-old Kelly Thomas on July 5, 2011.
Ramos faced charges of second-degree murder and involuntary manslaughter, the first law enforcement officer in the history of Orange County to be charged with a homicide. Cicinelli was charged with involuntary manslaughter and using excessive force.
“They got away with murdering my son,” said Cathy Thomas, mother of Kelly Thomas, after the verdict was read.