Police Beat Homeless Fullerton Man Kelly Thomas To Death

A video has surfaced that documents Fullerton police beating a homeless man near the Fullerton Bus Depot in early July, reports Gawker. The video above does not show much of the fight, but you can hear a man's screams and people talking about a Taser. The man being beaten also cries out for his father.

On July 5, Fullerton police received reports of someone breaking into cars in the area around the bus depot, according to the LA Times. Police subsequently tried to arrest 37-year-old transient Kelly Thomas on suspicion of possessing the stolen items.

When Thomas resisted, it took several minutes for him to be subdued. Sgt. Andrew Goodrich told the OC Register that it took "an upwards of five, maybe six officers to subdue him."

ABC says that Thomas was unarmed during the incident. Thomas sustained severe injuries to the head and neck, as evidenced in the photo here (WARNING: EXTREMELY GRAPHIC). He was hospitalized at UCI Medical Center, when he fell into a coma and died less than a week later.

Thomas' father Ron Thomas told the OC Register that his son had been diagnosed with schizophrenia in his early twenties and was homeless by choice. His sister, Christina Kinser, described him as a "quiet, gentle soul" to Fullerton Stories.

Currently, the Fullerton Police Department is performing an inquiry into the incident, and the case is being examined by the Orange County District Attorney's office, reports the LA Times. There have been several protests, and a vigil for Kelly was held in downtown Fullerton, the OC Register tells us.

In an open letter, City Council Member Bruce Whitaker has called for the police to offer a clear explanation and to release a video that apparently shows the actual beating.

Comments

[Powderfinger]

11:45 AM on 09/22/2011

I knew several kids in high school who were always kicked around, or bullied, if you will.

They went on to become cops, and returned the favor to whoever crossed them.

These are some of the people who become cops. They are training for when the right takes over the country and needs to get rid of the opposition and keep the serf class in line.

[mae0685]

10:31 PM on 09/21/2011

This is soooo sickening!!! I am sorry, but with all of the stories over the years of cops abusing their authority, I do not trust a single one of them, and it is a real shame. I feel that there are more low life cops than there are good ones. How many more stories will we hear about cops throwing around their power because they think they are above the law? Cops have killed innocent people all over this country! Even children because they have no business being a cop. I am sorry to all of the good cops out there, but cops like these have smeared your name. Even when this poor mentally ill man screamed they had no heart. They tased him after he stopped moving!!!! SICK, SICK!!! I hope they all go to prison! If you view the pick it is horrible, there is no justifying beating than man in the head like that!!!! Run for your lives people...the cops are coming!!!!!!!

[Mrjonz]

08:50 PM on 09/21/2011

Well, some people at least are indeed deeply concerned about the police misconduct being captured on video. Illinois, Massachusetts, and Maryland have made videoing of police illegal.

[mae0685]

10:32 PM on 09/21/2011

They should be concerned...technology has made it easy for them to get caught. Now they can't lie as much about what they have done if someone standing by has proof!

[Apathetic Apostle]

06:15 PM on 09/21/2011

It is a sad day when we allow certain professions to attract the dregs of humanity. Catholic Churches attract pedophiles and apparently Police Stations attract bullies.

[bcaligirl67]

05:53 PM on 09/21/2011

I have Bi-polar does that give the Police the right to kill me if I'm having a bad day? These jerks were on his back and still saying he was resisting! this is a clear case of murder! Rest in peace Kelley you didn't deserve what they did. But we will rally for a arrest and prosecution of these animals they are no better than thugs on the street.It doesn't matter if you have a badge you should where it with pride and honor.My father-in -law is an Officer and a proud one.Not one of these Monsters.

[Evie22]

10:26 PM on 09/07/2011

These people should NEVER have been police officers in the first place!!! HORRIBLE. Also, how can these parents let their son be homeless KNOWING he was mentally ill, they're partially to blame for not being there for him.

[Yep Itsme]

05:04 PM on 09/21/2011

I agree with you on the police officers. There was no reason to bash his face and head in nor tase him repeatedly. Of course he resisted he was scared for his life. He was unarmed and the Police Dept now says there is no evidence of any cars broken into. God help those morons.
However you are wrong about his parents. They know full well he was mentally ill.
Kelly was 37 yrs. old an adult. Parents can not force an adult whether he is mentally ill or not to live at home or anywhere. Neither can the police. Unless he has committed a crime he is free to do as he pleases just as any other adult is. Mentally ill does not always incapacitated. The majority of the homeless populations suffers from some form of mental illness. Whether it is depression or bipolar or schizophrenia etc. They may be unable or unwilling to "conform". Then add in drugs and or alcohol.
Theres nothing a parent can do. You cant just ask a judge to lock them up.
No one is to blame except the officers that killed him for this. Its not a crime to be homeless.

[one1byke]

07:02 PM on 09/07/2011

Makes you wanna Holler... !

[TStringfellow]

01:30 PM on 08/26/2011

The death penalty would be too good for these pigs. ACAB.

[Laker Steve]

09:29 PM on 08/18/2011

What, no riots? Oh yeah, the guy was white & not named Rodney King, a worthless piece of $%^&

[TStringfellow]

01:32 PM on 08/26/2011

Wahhh, white people are so oppressed. I mean, it's not like we make more money and have more privilege than any other group on the planet.

[O K Ali]

06:47 PM on 09/21/2011

Nah, you people wait for something dramatic, like a sports championship.

[srthd98]

02:42 PM on 08/16/2011

Test all pigs for steroids, why do you think they are so angry. Its estimated 25% of police are either taking illegal steroids or selling them. These 6 should be taken outback and given the same treatment they gave out.

[arianaart]

01:36 PM on 08/16/2011

If the police involved in this atrocity are not arrested for murder, there is no question that California is now a POLICE STATE and not any different than Hitler's Germany. Is this the way WE THE PEOPLE want to live?

[camille1234]

12:40 PM on 08/22/2011

I was raised in So. Cal and it has been going that way for a loooong time. I moved away. Not only the police, some communities as well. Police are protecting the views of Califorians. They know who pays their salaries.

[arianaart]

07:00 PM on 08/15/2011

The police BEAT a man to DEATH. In other words, THEY MURDERED HIM!!! And THEY are walking around free. Does anyone ELSE see anything wrong with this picture???

[Laker Steve]

09:33 PM on 08/18/2011

What, no Riots? Oh yeah the guy was white. I guess that means we won't be seeing that pice of #$%^ Jessie Jackson around either.

[thomas vu]

09:44 PM on 09/21/2011

It's communist primary!

It's very good pictures of our government today; especially, those in police force, they can only do that to the ordinary weak and sick citizen, and will surely run away, or hide away when facing Cartel gangs!

[Casey Stengel]

04:58 PM on 08/15/2011

These cops need to be convicted and then executed. Period.

[geriatrixxx]

11:24 PM on 08/14/2011

FPD site: "A citizen complaint form can be obtained at the front desk of the police department or calling the on duty watch commander at (714) 738- 6715." Umm.. yeah I have a complaint after having to hear someone scream out for their DAD for help while restrained and being repeatedly electrocuted while having their face, neck and skull crushed...

[Dallas Jennifer]

10:13 PM on 08/14/2011

We can't forget this tragedy. Please keep Kelly Thomas in your heart and lift his spirit up to the light. This was murder and we want justice.

[camille1234]

01:47 PM on 08/22/2011

You are a very nice website, but I will not be signing in again because I think your monitors have a problem. By the time they read the posts, we will be on the next big story. Which I hope is something like happened with Rodney King.