One year ago, Congress defunded public media. Now that we're 100% community funded, please become a sustaining member or increase your existing membership today.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Kelly Thomas' Alleged Attacker Trying to Get Charges Dropped
Attorneys for one of the two policeman accused of causing Kelly Thomas' death will attempt to get the charges dropped, reports City News Service.
Manuel Ramos is charged with second-degree murder and involuntary manslaughter for his role in the July 5, 2011 beating of Kelly, which ultimately led to Thomas' death. Ramos, along with six other police officers, allegedly pummeled Thomas, tased him and stomped on him as he screamed for help.
Just before the beating, Ramos is accused of holding up his fists and telling Kelly that he was going to "eff him up," frightening Thomas and causing him to run.
But Ramos' lawyers say that Thomas was never frightened, and that in fact his actions led directly to his beating. They insist, then, that Ramos is innocent.
One year ago, Congress voted to defund public media, eliminating a critical $1.7 million from our budget every year going forward. But they couldn’t silence us, and we’re not going anywhere. LAist is now 100% community funded and that means we’re taking our future into our own hands and turning to you to keep local reporting strong.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
