Support for LAist comes from
Audience-funded nonprofit news
Stay Connected
Audience-funded nonprofit news
Listen

Share This

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.

News

Kelly Thomas' Father Speaks Out, Shares Disturbing Image of Son's Beaten Face

thomas-beating-photo.jpg
Ron Thomas shows a photo of his son in the hospital (Photo by Gigi Graciette via yfrog)
()

With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today during our fall member drive. 

Ron Thomas, the father of a homeless man who died after a beating at the hands of Fullerton police officers, spoke out today about the case, and shared a disturbing image of his son Kelly's beaten face.Among the members of the press present was FOX 11 reporter Gigi Graciette, who posted updates during the press conference to her Twitter account. Graciette also posted a snapshot of the photo Thomas shared of his son which shows his face badly injured. Thomas says the photo was taken after the hospital had cleaned up Kelly Thomas.

"[H]ow would any father feel if this was his son?" said Ron Thomas, holding up the photo.

Ron Thomas has already begun the process of filing suit against the Fullerton Police Department. He has alleged since his son's death a few days after the July 5th incident that the six police officers murdered Kelly. The Orange County District Attorney has already said he does not see sufficient evidence those officers "intentionally" took Thomas' life.

Before posting a close up of the photo shared by Ron Thomas this afternoon, Graciette posted this Tweet as a caution: "#KellyThomas' dad believes public has right to know what happened to his son so am going to post pic he showed. WARNING. Its disturbing." We echo those sentiments, so please be warned.

Support for LAist comes from
()


Photo by Gigi Graciette via yfrog

At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.

But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.

We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.

Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.

Chip in now to fund your local journalism
A row of graphics payment types: Visa, MasterCard, Apple Pay and PayPal, and  below a lock with Secure Payment text to the right
(
LAist
)

Trending on LAist