Both the Fullerton police corporal and the former officer charged in the fatal 2011 beating of Kelly Thomas pleaded not guilty Friday.
Thomas, a 37-year-old schizophrenic homeless man, died five
days after he was brutally beaten by six police officers at the Fullerton
Transportation Center on July 5, 2011.
Fired from the department July 3, former Officer Manuel
Anthony Ramos, 38, is charged with second-degree murder and involuntary
manslaughter. Cpl. Jay Cicinelli, 40, is charged with involuntary manslaughter
and excessive force. City News Service says the men were arraigned again after
a judge ordered them to stand trial in May.
Standing in for John Barnett, Ramos' attorney, his son, Case
Barnett, says he expects a motion to dismiss charges on behalf of both
defendants to be filed by the next court date, July 27, when Judge William
Froeberg -- "one of the most experienced trial court judges in Orange County
Superior Court," according to CNS -- will discuss a trial date with both
defense lawyers.
OC District Attorney Tony Rackauckas would "like to set
a trial date in 60 days" but says it could take six to seven months to go
to trial, one that could last up to two months. Rackauckas reportedly
"shrugged off" the anticipated motions to clear charges, noting:
"These are very routine motions."
The investigation into the other four officers involved in
the controversial beating is ongoing. Per Rackauckas: "We're continuing to
investigate, to work on the case. We have no reason to stop."
And neither does Thomas' father, Ron Thomas, who has
actively fought for justice for his late son. On the first anniversary of
Thomas' death, Ron filed suit against the City of Fullerton
alleging assault and battery, negligence, wrongful death and civil rights
violations. The lawsuit does not request specific damages.
If convicted of second-degree murder, Ramos faces a sentence
of 15 years to life. He would serve four years if convicted of involuntary
manslaughter. Cicinelli faces up to four years if found guilty.