SANTA ANA, Calif. (AP) - Parents of a homeless man who died after a violent struggle with Fullerton police have condemned the acquittal of two officers but a defense lawyer says the jury did its duty.
The Orange County panel on Monday found Manuel Ramos and Jay Cicinelli not guilty of all charges - including manslaughter - in the 2011 death of Kelly Thomas. A surveillance video showed police pummeling and stun-gunning him.
Ron and Cathy Thomas told reporters that the verdict effectively tells police officers that they can kill people and get away with it.
Ron Thomas says the couple are “all torn up” by the verdict.
However, Ramos attorney John Barnett says the officers were simply doing their jobs as they were trained, committed no crime and had “no malice in their hearts.”
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