Cop Charged With Murder in Homeless Man's Beating

Another is charged with manslaughter in Kelly Thomas' death
By John Johnson,  Newser Staff
Posted Sep 21, 2011 3:20 PM CDT
Kelly Thomas Death: One Officer Charged With Murder, Another With Manslaughter
Dana Pape, center, stepmother of Kelly Thomas, embraces two supporters after the announcement.   (AP Photo/Reed Saxon)

The high-profile beating death of a schizophrenic homeless man by police that was caught on videotape has resulted in serious charges for two of the officers involved. Manuel Ramos faces second-degree murder and involuntary manslaughter charges, while Jay Cicinelli is accused of involuntary manslaughter and excessive use of force, reports the Los Angeles Times.

They were among the officers who responded to a report of someone trying to break into cars at the bus depot in Fullerton, California, in July. They caught 37-year-old Kelly Thomas, and witnesses said officers repeatedly hit and Tased Thomas as he screamed for help. An attorney for the accused officers previously said they used only appropriate force to subdue a "resistant" Thomas. (More Kelly Thomas stories.)

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