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Officer Manny Ramos (Left) and Cpl. Jay Cicinelli (Right) |
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VIDEO: Report Released on Kelly Thomas Beating Death - David Begnaud reports
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VIDEO: Fullerton Cops Charged in Kelly Thomas Case Appear in Court - Olga Ospina reports
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Kelly Thomas
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Homeless man dies after run-in with Fullerton police
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GRAPHIC PHOTOS: Medical Records and Dramatizations Released by Thomas Family
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- VIDEO: Fullerton Officer Accused of Murder Out on Bail - Jaime Chambers reports
- VIDEO: 2nd Officer Pleads Not Guilty in Kelly Thomas Death - Jaime Chambers reports
- VIDEO: Kelly Thomas' Family Reacts to Charges Against Officers - David Begnaud reports
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FULLERTON, Calif. (KTLA) -- The first independent report detailing the beating death of Kelly Thomas was released Tuesday, clearing city leaders of falsifying or covering up facts to protect police.
The 37-year-old homeless man died after an alleged fight with Fullerton police officers that sparked community and national outrage.
The report was the result of an investigation conducted by Michael Gennaco, chief attorney for the Los Angeles Office of Independent review, hired by Fullerton to probe Thomas' death.
Though Gennaco's report clears city officials of trying to cover up Thomas' death at the hands of Fullerton police, the attorney said they released inaccurate information after the death and failed to take steps to issue corrections.
Immediately following Thomas' death, a police spokesman said the officers involved in the fight suffered broken bones when they didn't.
Allegations also surfaced that Thomas was trying to break into cars when no evidence supported those claims.
"Do your best, do your darndest to make sure that that information is accurate," Gennaco told the Fullerton City Council as he presented his findings.
"If it's not (accurate), you've got to find a way to disseminate the corrected information broadly."
Kelly Thomas' parents were in the council chambers and heard Gennaco's presentation.
His father, Ron Thomas, said the report is the first step in clearing his dead son's name.
"It's what we've wanted all along," he told KTLA. "And now the City Council needs to decide what they're going to do for that."
Some enraged Fullerton residents sought the recall of the City Council after Thomas' death.
They have gathered the necessary signatures to force a recall vote, which will be held in June.
Two officers await trial on criminal charges related to the beating.
Cpl. Jay Cicinelli is charged with involuntary manslaughter, as well as use of excessive force, while Officer Manuel Ramos faces second-degree murder and involuntary manslaughter charges.
Cicinelli has been free on bail since pleading not guilty Sept. 21 to one felony count of involuntary manslaughter and one felony count of use of excessive force.
He was released on $25,000 bail and faces a maximum of 4 years in prison if convicted.
Ramos, 37, has pleaded not guilty to one felony count of second-degree murder and one felony count of involuntary manslaughter in connection with Thomas' death.
The 10-year veteran of the force faces a maximum of 15 years to life in prison, if convicted.
The 37-year-old homeless man died after an alleged fight with Fullerton police officers that sparked community and national outrage.
The report was the result of an investigation conducted by Michael Gennaco, chief attorney for the Los Angeles Office of Independent review, hired by Fullerton to probe Thomas' death.
Though Gennaco's report clears city officials of trying to cover up Thomas' death at the hands of Fullerton police, the attorney said they released inaccurate information after the death and failed to take steps to issue corrections.
Immediately following Thomas' death, a police spokesman said the officers involved in the fight suffered broken bones when they didn't.
Allegations also surfaced that Thomas was trying to break into cars when no evidence supported those claims.
"Do your best, do your darndest to make sure that that information is accurate," Gennaco told the Fullerton City Council as he presented his findings.
"If it's not (accurate), you've got to find a way to disseminate the corrected information broadly."
Kelly Thomas' parents were in the council chambers and heard Gennaco's presentation.
His father, Ron Thomas, said the report is the first step in clearing his dead son's name.
"It's what we've wanted all along," he told KTLA. "And now the City Council needs to decide what they're going to do for that."
Some enraged Fullerton residents sought the recall of the City Council after Thomas' death.
They have gathered the necessary signatures to force a recall vote, which will be held in June.
Two officers await trial on criminal charges related to the beating.
Cpl. Jay Cicinelli is charged with involuntary manslaughter, as well as use of excessive force, while Officer Manuel Ramos faces second-degree murder and involuntary manslaughter charges.
Cicinelli has been free on bail since pleading not guilty Sept. 21 to one felony count of involuntary manslaughter and one felony count of use of excessive force.
He was released on $25,000 bail and faces a maximum of 4 years in prison if convicted.
Ramos, 37, has pleaded not guilty to one felony count of second-degree murder and one felony count of involuntary manslaughter in connection with Thomas' death.
The 10-year veteran of the force faces a maximum of 15 years to life in prison, if convicted.
