The Crime Beat Archives - Page 42 of 46 - Friends For Fullerton's Future

August 2, 2011August 3, 2011Law N Disorder

“They Killed Him.” New Video Shows Aftermath of Fullerton Police Beating

Friends for Fullerton’s Future obtained this video footage from an OCTA bus that pulled into the Fullerton Transportation Center moments after the vicious beating of Kelly Thomas by Fullerton police on July 5th. Listen to what these witnesses have to say:

Our transcription of the recording is here.

This new video is more compelling evidence that excessive force caused the death of Kelly Thomas. First there was the video where the homeless, mentally-ill man’s cries for his father can be heard as he is beaten and Tased:

And then we saw the shocking photo of Kelly Thomas before he died, which has now been widely broadcast on network television and news websites around the world:

But still, the majority of Fullerton’s city council have refused to release the video that clarifies the police actions that lead to the death of Kelly Thomas on that night.

While we stand shocked at the brutality laid bare under their administrative watch, they quietly whisper behind closed doors, delay, obfuscate, make excuses and ignore the cries of the public for answers.

The people of Fullerton deserve to know right now: Are we safe from our own police?

August 2, 2011August 20, 2011About Us

Kelly Thomas, The Drifter

by admin90 Comments

102_1169-2 — Kelly in downtown Fullerton

About 28 years ago, I had just finished building a 20 unit luxury apartment complex here in Fullerton. Interest rates were around 22.5% and at 23 years old I had more pressure put on me than most 50-year-olds ever have. After I completed my project I decided to take a vacation.

But it was no ordinary vacation. I decided to go drifting.

I packed a bag and got a ride to the 91 freeway at Beach Blvd. Off I went.

Drifting is a way of life for many who choose to live on the streets. Kelly Thomas was a drifter, even though he had many places that he could stay, he chose to live on the streets. At his funeral, I witnessed his many friends and family that told me he always had a place to stay if he wanted. But he insisted on living outdoors with his own convictions.

I met many drifters during my six month journey around the West Coast, but the one thing I remember enjoying the most was not having any responsibilities and being accountable to no one but myself.

It’s easy for me to relate to Kelly Thomas’ life. I believe he was his own person, and he chose to drift from place to place.

Rest in Peace, Kelly Thomas.

August 2, 2011August 3, 2011Behind Closed Doors

Who is Jay Cicinelli?

by Mr. Peabody462 Comments

The anonymous caller to yesterday’s KFI’s John and Ken program identified an Fullerton police officer with one eye as physically participating in the July 5th beating death of Kelly Thomas.

As hard as it is to believe, Fullerton does indeed employ a cop with one eye, and has been identified by our commenters as Jay Cicinelli. Cicincelli was a rookie cop in LA when he was shot multiple times in 1996 as described in this 1998 LA Times article.

Cincinelli1 — 2005 Orange County Register file photo of Hugo Garcia and Jay Cicinelli

Apparently in the aftermath of this incident Cicinelli was deemed incapable of meeting physical standards, was placed on permanent disability and separated from duty with the LAPD. Here’s where the story gets interesting, Fullerton-wise. Cicinelli’s career as a law enforcement officer was far from over.

Cincinelli2 — A more recent image shared by a reader; Cincinelli is purportedly the officer on the right.

It seems that a high ranking LAPD cop, Michael Hillman took special interest in Cicinelli and eventually he used an old LAPD acquaintance to land Cicinelli a job in Fullerton. That acquaintance? Yep, Chief Pat McKinley, as detailed in this glowing 2009 tribute to Hillman on the OC Sheriff’s website, after Hillman had followed Sandra Hutchens to the OCSD. Here’s the operative sentence by Cicinelli:

“I think he had a lot to do with getting me this job, I know he was good friends with (Fullerton Police) Chief Pat McKinley. How many departments are going to hire an officer with one eye?

The implications of employing and deploying a one-eyed cop on the streets of Fullerton are rather worrisome; the possibility that Cicinelli may have undergone severe trauma that has never been adequately addressed is even worse. Of course this latter issue is speculation; but McKinley’s role in bringing this cop to Fullerton calls into question issues of cronyism, poor judgment, and ultimately, perhaps, responsibility for what happened to Kelly Thomas.

August 1, 2011August 1, 2011The Crime Beat

The Return of the Informant

by Travis176 Comments

The anonymous informant on the Kelly Thomas beating called back into the John and Ken show on KFI today.

Notable claims made by the informant:

The officers involved were allegedly shown the video while they were writing their reports, allowing them to make sure that all of their accounts match.
Officer Hampton was allegedly attempting to handcuff the suspect but had to back off because the blood from another officer’s strikes was splattering on him.
The informant claims that the officer who allegedly does most of the beating is a retired LAPD officer who was shot in the eye on duty three weeks on the job. Fullerton later hired him as the officer with one glass eye.
As recently as Friday night, this same officer was assigned to plain-clothes duty in the gang unit.
An officer was allegedly bragging about the beating the next day in the locker room.
There is a long history of cover-ups within the Fullerton Police Department
The police reports were ordered to be rewritten many times because management did not like the way the reports were written.

August 1, 2011August 1, 2011Home Town Hero

Sharon Quirk-Silva Says: “Release The Video”

by admin94 Comments

Regrets are like ........ — Release the video!

To Fullerton Community Members:

As a member of the Fullerton City Council, and a mother, I am deeply disturbed by this tragic event. I am so sorry that this has happened in the city of Fullerton. I have talked to Mr. Ron Thomas to express my sympathy. I have demanded that all six officers be placed on administrative leave and that we fully investigate this incident.

I have asked for detailed accounts of this event and to see the video and release the video.

As a leader in Fullerton, I know that it is our job to be transparent, accountable, and to serve and protect our citizens.

More than anything, I am committed to finding justice for Kelly Thomas.

As a mother, I can only imagine the sheer pain that the family must be enduring right now. Not only losing a son, but dealing with such a horrifying death.

My thought and prayers are with the Thomas Family and our community at this difficult time.

Sincerely,
Councilmember Sharon Quirk- Silva

July 31, 2011August 20, 2011About Us

Rap on This, FPD

by Joe Sipowicz32 Comments

Here’s something creative: a groove for Kelly Thomas.

BNF – 6 Lil Piggies (Justice for Kelly Thomas) feat. Jay Bird by BNF

July 29, 2011July 29, 2011The Crime Beat

Police Insider Offers New Graphic Description of Police Beating

by Travis354 Comments

Yesterday the John and Ken Show spent 4 hours expressing outrage over the Fullerton police beating of Kelly Thomas, the lack of media coverage and the cowardly concealment of evidence by Fullerton officials.

Towards the end of the show a man called in purporting to be friends with a Fullerton police officer. He passed along some new, graphic information on what was supposedly seen on the city’s surveillance camera, which the police are still not releasing to the public. Here it is:

Notable claims:

One officer supposedly beat Kelly Thomas with the butt of his Taser until blood started coming up all over the officer’s arms and hands.
Another officer supposedly drop knees Kelly Thomas’ nose and throat with the full force of his body weight multiple times, crushing the victim’s throat.
This happened while Kelly Thomas was not moving or resisting.

July 28, 2011July 28, 2011Shawn Nelson

FBI Launches Formal Investigation into the Kelly Thomas Beating

by Travis139 Comments

Today Orange County Supervisor Shawn Nelson sent over this formal request to have the FBI take over the investigation of the police beating death of Kelly Thomas.

As a result, Supervisor Nelson told us that the FBI confirmed that it has launched a formal investigation into the incident.

July 28, 2011July 28, 2011Orange County Government

Uh Oh. Is the DA’s Investigation in the Hands of the Chief’s Good Buddy?

by Travis152 Comments

We may have figured out why it took the District Attorney investigators three weeks to start talking to witnesses on the Kelly Thomas police beating case…

According to this unsigned note that just came in to our website, Chief Sellers is a close personal friend of DA investigator Stan Berry, who was immediately assigned to the high-profile Fullerton case:

I suggest you check into the connection between Investigator Berry and FPD Chief Sellers. Sellers hired Berry when he was the Chief at Seal Beach PD. Sellers and his wife Rita Fraser-Sellers, are close personal friends with Berry and his wife, Kristen Berry, the Dispatch Supervisor in Seal Beach. They socialize together, vacation together and entertain each other in their respective homes.

Of all the DA investigators, why choose Berry, other than he will help cover for his friend.

Presumably that case assignment was a decision made by the DA Tony Rackauckas. I have confirmed that Berry worked as an investigator under Chief Sellers for the Seal Beach Police Department.

As for as the familial socializing, entertaining and vacationing together…maybe the Chief can clear that one up for us.

If our informant is correct, this would be a huge conflict of interest in a very high-profile investigation.

July 28, 2011July 28, 2011The Crime Beat

First Video of the FPD Beating Emerges

by Travis90 Comments

Category: The Crime Beat