Fullerton Cop Fired
FULLERTON (CNS) One of two
Fullerton police officers charged in the death of schizophrenic transient Kelly
Thomas a year ago has been fired, police officials confirmed today.
Officer Manuel Anthony
Ramos, 38, who is charged with second-degree murder and involuntary
manslaughter, no longer works for the city, effective July 3, according to
Capt. Dan Hughes, the acting police chief.
"While we cannot
comment on the specifics of any personnel matter, I can confirm Mr. Ramos is no
longer an employee of the Fullerton Police Department, effective July 3,
2012,'' Hughes said in a statement.
Hughes said he could not
comment on whether Ramos was fired.
City Councilman Travis
Kiger said it was his understanding that Ramos was fired.
Ramos' attorney, John
Barnett, said he was unaware that his client had been dismissed from his job
and could not comment.
Cpl. Jay Cicinelli, 40, who
is charged with involuntary manslaughter and excessive force in the July 5,
2011, beating remains on unpaid administrative leave, Fullerton police Sgt.
Jeff Stuart said.
Four other officers who
were on the scene that day also remain on paid administrative leave, Stuart
said.
Ramos, Cicinelli and the
other four officers were named in a lawsuit filed last week in Orange County
Superior Court by Thomas' father. The complaint, which also names the city,
alleges assault and battery, negligence, wrongful death and civil rights
violations.
Ron Thomas' lawsuit names
former Fullerton Police Department Chiefs Michael Sellers and Patrick McKinley,
also a former city councilman, as well as Officers Joseph Wolfe, Kenton
Hampton, James Blatney and Sgt. Kevin Craig.