Tag Archives: Tony Rackauckas

Trial Begins For 2 Fullerton Police Officers

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Defense Attorney Claims Kelly Thomas Had Violent Past!

Ramos< Cincinelli, and Kelly Thomas

The trial in the beating death of Kelly Thomas has finally started. After more than 2 years opening statements have been made. Former police officer Manuel Ramos is charged with 2nd degree murder and Jay Cicinelli has been charged with involuntary man slaughter and use of excessive force..

Ramos, Cincinelli

Opening statements were made by Orange County District Attorney Tony Rackauckas  who led with pictures of the scene. He did say that Kelly Thomas  posed no threat to the officers as they questioned him. Rackauckas did assert that Ramos was the instigator in the tragedy as he snapped on his gloves clenched his fist and said “Now you see my fists? They are  getting ready to Fuck you up.” Rackauckas continued with pictures of the bloodied crime scene as well as pictures of the stun gun that was used by Cicinelli as a blunt weapon. The stun gun had dried blood at the butt end. In his own words Cicinelli said that he “smashed his face to hell.” As the D.A. spoke one of the female jurors was seen wiping tears from her eyes as she viewed the pictures.

Kelly Thomas in the hospital.

The defense for Ramos contends that Thomas did not have any mental illness but had made poor life decisions which involved drug use. It was the heavy use of drugs that gave Thomas “mental problems”. Quotes are mine… Also, the defense would like us to believe that Kelly Thomas had a violent past that the police had some knowledge of. This somehow justifies  the death of Thomas or so they would have us believe.

OK, so here is my two cents on the situation. We have Kelly Thomas sitting on the curb and he isn’t exactly mister follow directions to a tee. Couldn’t be the first time these officers dealt with a people son like this. In fact let me be clear on this, there is nothing that says we have to do every single thing an officer asks of us. In fact most people haven’t the slightest idea that a police officer can outright lie to us. They are under no obligation to be truthful to us. There is no penalty if a police officer does lie to you. So why shouldn’t we challenge them a wee bit. They work for us and they need to know this without fail!

This type of behaviour is abhorrent and should no longer be tolerated by any agency of our government. Any agent of the government should be promptly punished without any special treatment .

So that was day number 1.

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Kelly Thomas The Jury Has Been Selected

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Well,  a jury has finally been picked for the trial of Ramon Ramos and Jay Cicinelli, 2 of the 3 out of 6 of the police charged with the beating death of Kelly Thomas.

Eight women and four men has been chosen to figure out the fates of these alleged peace officers. I really hope that the punishment is swift and harsh for these 2 lost causes.  I can hardly imagine these 2 were upstanding officers as even the police laugh at those that get caught and claim its the first time.

Ramos is charged with second-degree murder and involuntary manslaughter in the death of Thomas. His partner Jay Cicenelli is charged with involuntary man slaughter. Cicenelli used his stun gun to not only jolt Thomas but also  as a blunt weapon as he repeatedly drives the butt end into Thomas’ face.

A third officer, Joseph Wolfe, faces involuntary manslaughter charges and will be tried separately. The other 3 officers that were there have no charges against them and presumably still walk the streets protecting all the helpless people.

The defense for Ramos and Cincenelli contends that Thomas brought the beating on himself by not complying with a lawful order! I wonder what this lawful order is?  Orange County District Attorney Tony Rackauckas, who will be the trial prosecutor, contends Ramos provoked the assault by snapping on latex gloves and telling Thomas, “Now see my fists? They are getting ready to fuck you up.” Just a crazy guess but, I couldn’t imagine this to be the lawful order? Remember this beating was a 30 minute assault between a homeless man and 2 then 3 and then 6 police officers.

A grainy black-and-white video, which shows a shirtless Thomas being repeatedly struck by police and eventually calling out for help, will likely be the centerpiece of the prosecution’s evidence.

“The partial video of the event doesn’t capture everything, there’s lots of gaps that need to be filled,” Superior Court Judge William R. Froeberg cautioned jurors

One question I have is in relation to a statement that was made by  District Attorney Tony Rackauckas. Which is that even if it is a police officer that is beating you there is a point when a person has the right to defend themself. That’s a really great thing to hear. The problem the citizen faces is when is that supposed to happen?