Jury selection began on Monday in the criminal case of two former officers accused of beating to death Kelly Thomas, a mentally ill homeless man at a Fullerton bus depot two summers ago.
Full Coverage: Kelly Thomas Case
Attorneys questioned potential jurors in the trial of former Fullerton Police Department Cpl. Jay Cicinelli and Officer Manuel Ramos, who are charged in connection with the in-custody beating death of Thomas.
Thomas' father, Ron, said he hoped jurors could see through the "smoke and mirrors" of the defense's arguments.
"Their biggest defense is to make Kelly look like a horrible, drug crazed maniac with all these abilities to hurt people," he said. "It's just not the case."
Thomas, a 37-year-old with schizophrenia who had a history of run-ins with police, was beaten on July 5, 2011 during a police call-out to a suspected car vandal. He never regained consciousness and was removed from life support at UC Irvine Medical Center on July 10, 2011.
Ramos was charged with one felony count of second degree murder and one felony count of involuntary manslaughter. If convicted, he faces up to 15 years to life in state prison.
Cicinelli was charged with one felony count of involuntary manslaughter and one felony count of the use of excessive force. If convicted, he faces up to four years in state prison.
A third officer, Joseph Wolfe, (pictured) faces charges in a separate trial. He’s expected to appear in court on Jan. 24, the Orange County District Attorney’s Office said. 
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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