Report in Beating Death of Kelly Thomas to be Released
The first report on the controversial beating death of transient Kelly Thomas is expected to be released to the Fullerton City Council Tuesday afternoon.
The independent consultant hired to look into the Thomas case, Michael Gennaco, will make the first announcement in a series of reports. Gennaco believes his presentation will take 10 minutes, and will then discuss the specifics with reporters. He has declined to talk to the media about his findings before the city council meeting at 4:30 p.m.
Gennaco will make his second report to the council in March or April that reviews the police department’s entire policies and procedures. Gennaco, who was also hired as the lead investigator for internal affairs is still working on this aspect, and says he expects to be done in March with his third report.
37-year-old Kelly Thomas died after struggling with Fullerton police officers at the Fullerton Transportation Center on July 5, 2011. Fullerton police officer Manuel Ramos and Cpl. Jay Cicinelli have both been charged with the violent beating of Thomas, which led to his death.
Ramos is charged with second-degree murder and involuntary manslaughter. Cicinelli is also charged with involuntary manslaughter as well as the use of excessive force.
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This is what our police have become - soulless murderers and persecutors of the innocent who have done nothing wrong to anyone else. I hope that there will be better screening by the state from now on to check out police officers who have bad tempers and anger problems that might make them prone to do something like this. Police get away with a lot of stuff nowadays, since they basically have a get out of jail free badge (card) to sacrifice. So when they want to get in someone's face, beat someone up, or just grief whoever they want - they do so with nothing to fear. They might get a week suspension with pay and be right back on the prowl. I knew a cop like this who was aggressive to homeless and poor people in general who was in Lowndes County Sheriffs office. If I recall correctly his name was Charles Hamrick. He would literally push and hurt homeless people if he had to deal with them (source - homeless people). I think there is a lot of anger towards homeless people from police because the cops know there is not any money to rob them of so they are worthless. If they get arrested they have it made better in jail then on the street. Plus there is no pleasure for the cop knowing they are forcing someone to pay out money to the court. Might as well beat them up then, heck, why not kill them if they arent a pleasure toy right? This is what American law enforcement does in its malicious freedom.