Fullerton police officer behind bars in homeless man's death

[Hepburn]

A 37-year-old Fullerton police officer was in custody today in lieu of $1 million bail as he awaited arraignment next week on homicide charges in the death of a schizophrenic homeless man.

Officer Manuel Ramos was charged Thursday with second-degree murder and involuntary manslaughter and Cpl. Jay Cicinelli, 39, with involuntary manslaughter and use of excessive force in the death of Kelly Thomas, 37, who died five days after a violent confrontation with six officers responding to reports of car burglaries at the Fullerton Transportation Center on July 5.

Orange County District Attorney Tony Rackauckas announced the felony charges at a news conference Thursday. The other four officers involved in Thomas's arrest will not face criminal charges. All six officers are on administrative leave.

Ramos and Cicinelli turned themselves in after the charges were announced and appeared in a downtown Santa Ana courtroom in the afternoon. Cicinelli pleaded not guilty, but Ramos' arraignment was postponed until Monday, when a bail-review hearing will also be held.

http://www.dailybreeze.com/ci_18952525?source=rss_viewed

:applause:

[Hassin Bin Sober]

1. It's a start.

[KansDem]

2. Before and after photos (extremely graphic)

[FLAprogressive]

3. Maybe justice will be served.

[Hepburn]

4. I was very concerned that the DA would not do a damn thing about this.

Surprised me as to the murder charges. I do believe the charge is deserved. IMO, Ramos intended to cause harm.

[eppur_se_muova]

5. I'm sure the prosecutor will recommend the DP in this case.

They always do when the perpetrator is a cop.

Oh, wait, I got something mixed up ...