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Arraignment scheduled Tuesday for officers in Kelly Thomas death
Fullerton police officer Manuel Ramos listens to Tony Rackauckas, Orange County's elected district attorney, during day three of the preliminary hearing into the death of Kelly Thomas. He and another officer are accused in the beating death of Kelly Thomas and are scheduled for arraignment Tuesday morning in a Santa Ana courtroom.
(
Joshua Sudock, Orange County Register, Pool photo
)
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Arraignment scheduled Tuesday for officers in Kelly Thomas death
Two Fullerton police officers accused in the beating death of Kelly Thomas are scheduled for arraignment Tuesday morning in a Santa Ana courtroom.
Thomas, a homeless man with schizophrenia, died days after an altercation with police last July at the Fullerton Transportation Center.
A judge ordered the two officers to stand trial after a preliminary hearing earlier this month.
During the preliminary hearing, attorneys repeatedly played video footage of the struggle between Officer Manuel Ramos and Corporal Jay Cicinelli, and 37-year-old Kelly Thomas.
Ramos is charged with second degree murder and involuntary manslaughter while Cicinelli faces charges of involuntary manslaughter and excessive force under color of authority.
If a jury convicts them, Ramos could face up to 15 years in prison and Cicinelli could face up to four.
Both have pleaded not guilty to the charges.
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Ramos’ attorney, John Barnett, has said he’d ask for a review of Judge Walter Schwarm’s rulings in the preliminary hearing.
The two officers remain free on bail; they’re on unpaid leave from their department.
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