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Kelly Thomas' Mother Sues Orange County DA for Access to Records of Her Son's Death
This May, 19, 2002 family photo released by the Thomas family on Wednesday, Aug. 3, 2011 shows Kelly Thomas (AP Photo/Thomas Family)
The mother of Kelly Thomas, a schizophrenic homeless man who was beaten to death by police officers earlier this year, is suing the Orange County District Attorney in order to gain access to records involving her son's demise.
According to the OC Register, Cathy Thomas' attorney, Brian Gurwitz, claims that Cathy is a victim and so has a right to see the details of what happened to her son that night under the California Public Records Act. She's hoping to see evidence that would include surveillance video, audio recordings and witness statements.
But the DA says that handing over the records could make it more difficult for them to finish their investigation and build a case against Officer Manuel Ramos and Cpl. Jay Cicinelli, the Fullerton police officers who are being charged with Kelly's death. The DA's office says they are "sympathetic" to Cathy's plight, notes the LA Times, but have thus far refused to give her the evidence she's looking for.
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