Kelly Thomas (KTLA-TV) |
FULLERTON (KTLA) -- A memorial concert was held Saturday to celebrate the life of Kelly Thomas one year after his brutal beating at the hand of Fullerton police officers.
The Adolescents headlined the free concert along with other local musical acts at the Downtown Plaza in front of the Fullerton Museum Center on Saturday afternoon.
Kelly Thomas, 37, suffered from schizophrenia and was severely injured on July 5, 2011 during a confrontation with six officers, all caught on video.
Thomas died five days after the beating without regaining consciousness; his chest was so compressed it deprived his brain of oxygen as blood from his facial wounds poured into his lungs.
Thomas's father marked the anniversary of his son's fatal beating earlier this week by suing the city and six officers, two of whom are facing criminal charges.
The lawsuit also names former police chiefs Patrick McKinley and Michael Sellers.
"The city has a long history of ignoring its officers' abusive practices and is deliberately indifferent to the violations of Constitutional rights resulting from the city's customs, practices and policies," contends Ron Thomas in the wrongful death suit.
Thomas' mother, Cathy, who is divorced from Ron Thomas, has already received a $1 million settlement from the city.
Since the beating, three Fullerton city council members have been recalled and criminal charges have been brought against two of the officers.
Officer Manuel Ramos and Cpl. Jay Cicinelli are scheduled to appear in court for arraignment on July 13. Both have been placed on unpaid leave, effective October 8th, according to acting Fullerton Police Chief Kevin Hamilton.
Ramos is charged with second-degree murder and involuntary manslaughter, and Cicinelli is charged with involuntary manslaughter and excessive force under color of authority.
Ramos faces a potential sentence of 15 years to life in prison if convicted and Cicinelli faces a potential four-year prison term if convicted.
The Adolescents headlined the free concert along with other local musical acts at the Downtown Plaza in front of the Fullerton Museum Center on Saturday afternoon.
Kelly Thomas, 37, suffered from schizophrenia and was severely injured on July 5, 2011 during a confrontation with six officers, all caught on video.
Thomas died five days after the beating without regaining consciousness; his chest was so compressed it deprived his brain of oxygen as blood from his facial wounds poured into his lungs.
Thomas's father marked the anniversary of his son's fatal beating earlier this week by suing the city and six officers, two of whom are facing criminal charges.
The lawsuit also names former police chiefs Patrick McKinley and Michael Sellers.
"The city has a long history of ignoring its officers' abusive practices and is deliberately indifferent to the violations of Constitutional rights resulting from the city's customs, practices and policies," contends Ron Thomas in the wrongful death suit.
Thomas' mother, Cathy, who is divorced from Ron Thomas, has already received a $1 million settlement from the city.
Since the beating, three Fullerton city council members have been recalled and criminal charges have been brought against two of the officers.
Officer Manuel Ramos and Cpl. Jay Cicinelli are scheduled to appear in court for arraignment on July 13. Both have been placed on unpaid leave, effective October 8th, according to acting Fullerton Police Chief Kevin Hamilton.
Ramos is charged with second-degree murder and involuntary manslaughter, and Cicinelli is charged with involuntary manslaughter and excessive force under color of authority.
Ramos faces a potential sentence of 15 years to life in prison if convicted and Cicinelli faces a potential four-year prison term if convicted.
