Mourners were expected to gather on Friday to remember Kelly Thomas, the mentally ill homeless man fatally beat by Fullerton police officers two years ago.
Full Coverage: Kelly Thomas Case
The memorial is scheduled for Friday night at the same bus depot in Fullerton where officers beat an unarmed Thomas unconscious on July 5, 2011 during a police call-out to a suspected car vandal.
“I reflect on what he went through,” said his father, Ron Thomas. “It hurts me so bad. I haven’t taken any time to grieve for my son.
“I’m still in the get-the-bad guys mode.”
Thomas, who never regained consciousness, was removed from life support at UC Irvine Medical Center on July 10.
Officer Manuel Ramos was charged with one felony count of second degree murder and one felony count of involuntary manslaughter. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 15 years to life in state prison.
Corporal Jay Cicinelli was charged with one felony count of involuntary manslaughter and one felony count of the use of excessive force. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of four years in state prison.
A third officer, Officer Joseph Wolfe, was charged with one felony count each of involuntary manslaughter and use of excessive force. If he's convicted, he faces up to four years in prison.
All three pleaded not guilty.
“The biggest shame about this case is the fact that it could have been avoided,” said Orange County District Attorney Tony Rackauckas, when he announced charges against Ramos and Cincinelli in 2011. “This never had to happen, and it never should have happened.“
Ron Thomas, a former Orange County Sheriff's deputy, has filed a civil wrongful death lawsuit against the city of Fullerton and its police department.
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