Backlash Continues Over Kelly Thomas Verdict

[damnedifIknow]

Emotions continued to run high in Fullerton on Tuesday, days after two former police officers were found not guilty on all charges in the beating death of a 37-year-old homeless man."

*Kelly Thomas’ father, Ron Thomas, has also been outspoken since the verdicts were handed down. Outside the City Council chambers Tuesday night, he encouraged demonstrators to protest peacefully.

Fourteen people were arrested Saturday in front of Fullerton police headquarters, where a rally for justice for Kelly Thomas was held.

Adam Alder, who attended the rally, said some officers there were taunting protesters.

One officer said, “‘I’ve got two words for you: Not guilty. Ha ha ha ha,’” Alder said. “So it just puts it into perspective that when these cops know that they’re not going to be found guilty, they know that the system is rigged in their favor, for whatever reason. They have a free reign, carte blanche, to do whatever they need to do, whatever they want to do.”

http://ktla.com/2014/01/22/backlash-over-kelly-thomas-verdict-continues/

[villager]

1. Now that police are becoming the enemy of the middle class, too...

...It will be interesting to see how formerly oblivious "regular" citizens react...

[sked14]

3. I'd like to believe that sooner or later, hopefully sooner,

there will be a tipping point where citizens say "enough is fucking enough" and through MASSIVE civil protest, force the reform of the police depts., otherwise, I fear that there is a coming revolution, hopefully peaceful, against the police in the country.

[Live and Learn]

8. If the verdict was any indication,

it will take quite awhile for the majority of us to get it. People seem to believe it only happens to those that deserve it until it happens to one of them.

[sked14]

2. At least the police chief has said he'll fight to make sure this criminal cop

doesn't get his job back.

Fullerton’s chief of police said he would fight an appeal from one of the officers acquitted in the death of Kelly Thomas to get his job back.

http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-kelly-thomas-case-former-officers-tries-to-win-back-job-20140116,0,641666.story#ixzz2rCKF1sHn

[nilesobek]

4. Does anyone know

if the Feds have looked into the fact that Kelly Thomas' civil rights were violated by these officers? Has the Federal Government unleashed these police departments on the homeless by not prosecuting them?

[SleeplessinSoCal]

9. Yes

The FBI Is Looking Into The Beating Death Of A California Homeless Man By Two Police Officers

Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/fbi-kelly-thomas-death-2014-1#ixzz2rD06QxG7

[nilesobek]

13. Thank you so much for the link

[nilesobek]

15. This really cuts to the bone.

I was homeless for a long time, it could have been me. Watching the you tube video was excruciating, hearing him call on his father over and over again. Just heartbreaking. It could be one of our sons.

[Egalitarian Thug]

11. Does the Pope protect child rapists? n/t

[nilesobek]

14. It took me a second

to grasp your reply and we will see if it fits.

[ReRe]

5. Legalized barbarianism...

... i.e. police state. Is Simi Valley in Orange County?

[sabrina 1]

6. That verdict is a disgrace. Maybe the Feds can get involved. It WAS a hate crime. And Kelly should

come under that hate crime laws being that he was mentally disabled. SOMETHING must be done to correct this gross injustice. I saw a documentary on a case where an egregiously wrong verdict let a killer off. But some of those who were outraged went to the law and found that the case could become a Federal case due to something the perp had said, the victim was African American. They succeeded and a bad verdict was over ruled in a Federal Court and the perp went to jail.

Feds need to get involved in this.

[kcr]

7. It would be nice

I have a feeling it's a long shot in this case but I would really love to see that happen.

[Blue_Tires]

12. The only thing nearly as disgraceful as the verdict

is seeing how many people are celebrating it....

[reddread]

10. wish i were there

we shouldnt be waiting for the feds to act.
we the people and all that.

[rhett o rick]

16. Not all police are psychopaths, but what a perfect job for a psychopaths. I hope all involved

rot in hell.