Kelly Thomas Death: Officer Manuel Ramos Pleads Not Guilty

SANTA ANA, Calif. — One of two police officers charged with killing a mentally ill, homeless man pleaded not guilty Monday to second-degree murder and involuntary manslaughter.

Lawyers for Fullerton Officer Manuel Ramos, 37, argued for reduction of his $1 million bail, saying Ramos feared for his life in jail. A judge denied the motion.

Ramos, a 10-year veteran, and Fullerton police Cpl. Jay Cicinelli, 39, were charged last week with killing Kelly Thomas, 37, during a violent arrest at the Fullerton Transportation Center on July 5.

Officers were responding to a report of possible vehicle burglaries at the site.

Ramos entered the plea in Orange County Superior Court before Judge Erick Larsh.

Cicinelli, a 12-year veteran, pleaded not guilty Friday to one count each of involuntary manslaughter and excessive use of force. He was released on $25,000 bail.

Prosecutors said Thomas was shocked four times with a Taser stun gun, kneed in the head, punched in the ribs and bashed eight times with the butt of a stun gun.

District Attorney Tony Rackauckas said the fight began when Ramos asked Thomas to place his hands on his knees.

When Thomas had trouble complying, Ramos snapped on a pair of latex gloves, held his fists in front of Thomas' face and said: "Now see my fists? They are getting ready to F you up," the prosecutor said.

He then went on to swing his baton at Thomas, chased him and eventually pinned him to the ground with his body, authorities said.

The coroner concluded the cause of death was mechanical compression of the thorax, which made it impossible for Thomas to breathe normally and deprived his brain of oxygen, Rackauckas said. Other injuries to the face and head contributed to his death.

Cicinelli, who arrived later, kneed Thomas twice in the head and used a Taser on him as he screamed and yelled in pain, Rackauckas said.

An FBI investigation is under way to determine if Thomas' civil rights were violated.

Comments

[Shannon Frick]

08:49 AM on 09/27/2011

I don't understand how there's even a question of guilt or not. The death of Kelly Thomas was cruel. Getting killed when you had no control over what was happening to you sure seems like a violation of rights to me. But maybe that's just me.
Lock'em up and throw away the key. And that still won't do justice to the young man they murdered.

[Foodgrade]

11:56 PM on 09/26/2011

Of course he's not guilty, he'll get a slap on the wrist. Police have been given a license to kill. The only time there is an issue is when the criminality is so far beyond any parsing that they have to give one up. Then the entire "justice" system works to grind down the public outrage until they can give their criminal a pass. We have all seen it hundreds and indeed thousands of times if you count the behavior evidence that is routinely thrown out of court relative to cops.

He will be eased out with the minimum of damage to his sorry, criminal self.

[sloreader]

11:06 AM on 09/27/2011

Too bad if what you say is true because if you think about it crimes commited under color of authority deserve the harshest punishment.

[Richbruin]

01:47 PM on 09/27/2011

I don't think so...there's too much outrage about the case and really no defense for it. If he walks out a free man, you're going to see a backlash unlike anything before.

[Foodgrade]

10:01 PM on 09/27/2011

It's just that I've seen so many of them. Just google police brutality, copwatch and such. I'm not sure you understand how many people a year cops beat, maim, rape and murder. I won't even start with the people they frame.

[SamKnause]

08:27 PM on 09/26/2011

I hope he never sees daylight again !!!

The six of them deserve to spend the rest of their lives in prison.

[EarDrummer]

07:53 PM on 09/26/2011

John Barnett, Ramos' lawyer, blames Kelly Thomas for his own death. Barnett gives lawyers a bad name.

[rabb046]

06:24 PM on 09/26/2011

He should fear for his life in jail.

[camanokat]

06:18 PM on 09/26/2011

He's caught on tape beating this young man. GUILTY!

Some cops think they are immune from prosecution. I'm glad they caught one of the bad ones.

[Charles Queen]

06:01 PM on 09/26/2011

Of course he's not guilty,he's a cop.They can do anything and no mattter what it may be,when it pertains to cops it's perfectly alright for them to do it.Hell ya have cops getting stoned everyday and going out and arresting someone because they were seen smoking a joint.The judicial system is pretty much the same way as well,corruption runs rampnat there as well

[MotorcycleBoy]

05:01 PM on 09/26/2011

put him in with the rest of the animals...let them deal with this piece of garbage

[MotorcycleBoy]

05:00 PM on 09/26/2011

I hope they tear him apart in jail.

[Myoho Mod]

04:43 PM on 09/26/2011

What about 4 other "officers"? Something is fishy

[O K Ali]

05:42 PM on 09/26/2011

Two others were charged with murder as well. There were four that weren't charged because the video that hasn't been released shown that they didn't participate.

[Richbruin]

06:40 PM on 09/26/2011

Un, no, only one other, Jay Ciccinelli, has been charged with voluntary manslaughter although I believe the other4 should have been charged. They're on paid leave.

[merlin57]

07:02 PM on 09/26/2011

2 of the 6 were charged. 1 is out on bail. Ramo's is stuck in the joint because of the bail amount which is interesting as I am sure the police union that represents him could easily afford the bond... typically 10% of the bail amount.

That the other 4 were not charged doesn't necessarily mean that there will not be an administrative remedy dished out. They should be summarily fired but that depends on the internal investigation and how it will be ruled on whether or not they voilated department policy.