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An Orange County judge this week announced that Fullerton police officers would stand trial for the fatal assault on a mentally ill homeless man. Thirty seven year old white man, Kelly Thomas suffered serious injuries after an altercation with at least four police officers, two of whom now face trial. Thomas died in the hospital five days after his beating and arrest.

Officer Manual Ramos faces charges of second-degree murder and involuntary manslaughter, with potentially 15 years to life in prison, making him the first Orange County officer to face a murder trial for actions he undertook while on duty. Corporal Jay Cicinelli, faces charges of involuntary manslaughter and excessive use of force with a possibility of 4 years in prison if convicted. It is possible that a third officer, Joe Wolfe may also be charged at a later date.

Orange County District Attorney Tony Rackauckas introduced a graphic police video this week in the OC Superior Court in Santa Ana, which caused a stir among reporters and the public. In it, the four police officers are seen piling their weight onto Thomas at once. Thomas can be heard begging for mercy, repeatedly crying “I can’t breathe,” and “I’m sorry,” as well as calling for his father. Rackauckas asserts that officer Ramos initiated the encounter, which seems to be corroborated by the video.

On Tuesday, a coroner’s pathologist testified saying that the cause of death was directly linked to chest compression, and exacerbated by excessive bleeding from his nose and mouth. However, the officers’ attorneys have countered that the emergency medical workers on the scene are to blame for Thomas’ death by failing to push air tubes promptly enough into his passages.

GUEST: Brandon Ferguson, Contributor to the OC Weekly

Click here to watch a video of the brutal beating of Kelly Thomas. WARNING: This is a very graphic video that may cause trauma in viewers.

Click here to read Brandon Ferguson’s cover story.

Read all of OC Weekly’s coverage of the Kelly Thomas case at www.ocweekly.com.

A Related Event this weekend:

MOTHER’S DAY CANDELIGHT VIGIL/MARCH AGAINST POLICE BRUTALITY IN ANAHEIM

WHAT:
Concerned members of the community, mothers, relatives, and friends of victims of police brutality, and representatives from Orange County organizations will march and hold a candlelight vigil to honor the memories and mothers of victims of police abuse in Anaheim:

Caesar Cruz-2009, a 35-year-old father of five, who was shot and murdered by Anaheim police officers in a Wal-Mart parking lot.

Martin Angel Hernandez-2012, a 21-year-old father, who was shot and killed by a patrol officer in an alley.

Roscoe Cambridge-2012, a 29-year-old man shot and killed by an Anaheim police sergeant in the parking lot of a police substation.

Bernie Villegas-2012, a 36-year-old father of two, shot twice and killed by SWAT team members armed with assault rifles in an apartment complex.

Marcel Luis Ceja-2011, a 22-year-old man shot and killed by a police officer in front of an apartment complex.

David Raya-2011, a 23-year-old man shot three times in the back and killed by Anaheim’s crime task force.

Travis Mock-2011, a 27-year-old man shot and injured by a police officer in Anaheim Hills, suspected of stealing mail.

Adolph Anthony Sanchez-Gonzales-2009, a 21-year-old man, shot in the head at close range and murdered by an officer.

Julian Alexander-2008, a 20-year-old innocent bystander, newlywed and father-to-be, fatally shot in his front yard by an officer chasing burglary suspects.

Joe Whitehouse-2007, a 30-year-old man shot and killed by two officers outside his brother’s apartment.

Justin Hertl-2003, a 23-year-old man shot and killed by an undercover Anaheim police detective.

Jeffrey Santelli-2003, a 31-year-old man mistaken for a gang member, shot in the parking lot of the Crystal Cathedral by a plainclothes officer while delivering a credit card to his mother.

Event organizers strive to call to question the Anaheim Police Department’s policies and number of officer-involved shootings over the past ten years. Anaheim police officers should not be allowed to continue to terrorize, murder, and maim residents.

WHO:
Mothers, relatives, and friends of Caesar Cruz, Martin Hernandez, and Justin Hertl, and representatives from Orange County community groups.

WHERE:
March will commence at 117 E. Wakefield, Anaheim, 92802.

After the march, a candlelight vigil will be held near Disneyland’s main entrance, at the corner of Harbor Boulevard and Disney Way.

WHEN:
Saturday, May 12, 2012, at 6:30 PM