Kelly Thomas Case: Officers plead not guilty in 2011 beating death of Calif. homeless man

By: Casey Glynn
Topics: Daily Blotter

Kelly Thomas

/ AP Photo/Thomas Family

(CBS/AP) SANTA ANA, Calif. - Two Fullerton police officers have pleaded not guilty in the 2011 beating death of mentally ill California homeless man Kelly Thomas.

PICTURES: Family wants answers in death of man beaten by cops

Manuel Ramos and Jay Cicinelli entered their pleas Friday at an arraignment in Orange County Superior Court in Santa Ana.

Ramos is charged with second-degree murder and involuntary manslaughter in Thomas' death. Cicinelli is charged with involuntary manslaughter and use of excessive force under the color of authority.

Both officers, who remain free on bond, are scheduled to appear in court again on July 27, the OC Register reports.

Officers detained Thomas on July 5, 2011, while investigating a report of car break-ins at a city transit hub. What started out as a conversation escalated into a physical conflict. Thomas, who suffered from schizophrenia, died five days later.

The death sparked an outcry by residents, the recall of three councilmembers, an FBI investigation and criminal charges against Ramos and Cicinelli. Thomas' father has since sued the city.

Complete coverage of the Kelly Thomas case on Crimesider

16 Photos

Family wants answers in death of man beaten by cops

View the Full Gallery »

7 Comments +

Add a Comment


by goodbyeamerica July 17, 2012 3:01 AM EDT: Lets hope the final verdict is guilty, but if not, lets hope some of those people who rioted in LA and nearly burned their own neighborhood to the ground stand up for this guy.; Reply to this comment


by enlightenu July 16, 2012 11:20 AM EDT: Good. A not guilty plea will result in more severe sentences.; Reply to this comment


by Ceres6 July 16, 2012 2:07 AM EDT: It seems the new trend in the United States is that many cops feel that they are above the law. They don't have to answer to anyone if they beat the hell out of an innocent person.; Reply to this comment


by Rejco100 July 15, 2012 12:06 AM EDT: No cars were broken into; the restaurant bartender was told by his boss to call & report break-ins whenever a homeless person was around the area...made the cops actually respond...

This poor innocent helpless man was BRUTALLY MURDERED!; Reply to this comment


by taylorsucram July 14, 2012 10:09 PM EDT: That appears to be normal behavior for some cops. In San Leandro, California a police officer beat a blind man severely because he refused to drop his "cane".; Reply to this comment

by audemus July 13, 2012 5:59 PM EDT

How police officers who are sworn to protect, could beat to death a mentally-ill young man while he's calling out to his father to save him, is beyond belief.

Reply to this comment


by tahoedeadhead July 14, 2012 9:49 PM EDT: Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely. cops carry guns and a have the power of life and death over anyone