Truth matters. Community matters. Your support makes both possible. LAist is one of the few places where news remains independent and free from political and corporate influence. Stand up for truth and for LAist. Make your tax-deductible donation now.
This archival content was originally written for and published on KPCC.org. Keep in mind that links and images may no longer work — and references may be outdated.
Kelly Thomas Trial: Fullerton officers won't get their jobs back
FILE - This combo made from file photos provided by the Orange County District Attorney's office shows former Fullerton Police Officers Jay Cicinelli, left, and Manuel Ramos. It’s been more than two years since his son died in a violent confrontation with police, but Ron Thomas still can’t shake the echoes of that night. A surveillance camera that captured the incident recorded 37-year-old Kelly Thomas calling for his father nearly 30 times. As the minutes tick by, Thomas’ desperate screams for his father trail off into groans of “Daddy” and then stop altogether as he loses consciousness. Ron Thomas was nowhere near the scene that night as six officers kneed, shocked and pinned his son down in a nearly 10-minute brawl, but he has stood by him ever since, championing a call for justice that heads to court Monday, Dec. 2, 2013, for two of the six officers involved. (AP Photo/Orange County District Attorney, File)
(
Anonymous/AP
)
Fullerton Police Chief Dan Hughes said Tuesday that the two former officers acquitted in the death of Kelly Thomas will not get their jobs back.
A jury of 8 women and 4 men found ex-Fullerton police officers Manuel Ramos and Jay Cicinelli not guilty on four counts related to the beating of Thomas, a mentally-ill transient. Thomas died five days after a physical altercation on July 5, 2011, with Ramos, Cicinelli, Joe Wolfe and three other Fullerton police officers.
In a press release Tuesday, Hughes reinstated his decision to let the officers go:
In response to one of the former officers alleging that he was wrongfully terminated and wanting his job back, Chief Hughes said that he stands behind his employment decision and intends to vigorously defend that decision in every step of the grievance process.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
