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Two Fullerton police officers will stand trial for the fatal beating of Kelly Thomas, a mentally ill homeless man.
Officer Manuel Anthony Ramos, 38, is charged with second-degree murder and involuntary manslaughter. Cpl. Jay Cicinelli, 40, is charged with involuntary manslaughter and using excessive force in the beating at the Fullerton Transportation Center last July, according to City News Service.
After the third and final day of a preliminary hearing, Orange County Superior Court Judge Walter Schwarm said that there is sufficient probable cause for a trial.
The brutal beating of the 37-year-old schizophrenic man was recorded on surveillance video. Orange County District Attorney Tony Rackauckas, who fought to take the case to trial, showed the video in court yesterday. Thomas was heard crying out for his dad to help him.
Ramos is free on $1 million bail, and Cicinelli is free on $25,000 bail. If convicted, Ramos could receive 15 years to life in prison if convicted of second-degree murder.
Ramos and Cicinelli will be back in court May 22 for their arraignment.
