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Fullerton Police Officers Bail Out Manny Ramos, Cop Accused of Murdering Kelly Thomas
Ramos' mugshot (Courtesy OC DA)
Some Fullerton police don't think that Manny Ramos, who's accused of second-degree murder in the Kelly Thomas beating case, deserves to be behind bars for the time being -- a group of officers from the area gathered enough money to bail him out of prison. KTLA reports that the officers' union didn't endorse their actions, but that a number of cops nevertheless went to Ramos' friends, family and other police unions and asked them to donate towards his $1 million bail. They eventually collected enough money, and Ramos was released from the Orange County jail at 2:20 a.m. this morning.
Ramos, allegedly one of the first officers to arrive on the scene the night that Thomas was beaten, is accused of telling Thomas, "Now, see my fists? They are getting ready to f--- you up," before chasing him, hitting him with his baton, punching him in the ribs and sitting on top of him to restrain him.
Ramos faces the most severe sentence of the officers involved in the beating death of Thomas. He's being charged with second-degree murder and involuntary manslaughter, and if found guilty, he could face up to 15 years to life in prison.
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