Cops Vs. Cameras: The Killing of Kelly Thomas & The Power of New Media

NOTE: Because of violent images, viewer discretion is advised.

The autopsy results from the death of Kelly Thomas, a schizophrenic drifter who was allegedly beaten to death by Fullerton, California police will be announced today by Orange County District Attorney Tony Rackauckas.

Rackauckas will also announce whether he will file charges against the officers involved in Thomas' death, following the office's investigation. The confrontation with police took place at a municipal bus station on July 5, with Thomas dying in the hospital five days later. This press conference comes weeks after the Fullerton police refused to answer questions about the case.

Regardless of today's announcements, Thomas' death is a case study of how ubiquitous phones with cameras and the Internet are transferring power from the government, police, and the media to the masses. Images and word of the beating spread not because of official communications but by viral cell phone video of the incident and a horrific hospital photo taken by his father of Thomas in a coma.

After the photo and video were released, the Fullerton community reacted in outrage at city council meetings and at protests outside the Fullerton police department. Whatever charges are filed (or not) today, the death of Kelly Thomas will remain an example of how new media is changing the old guard.

Written and produced by Paul Detrick, who also narrates. Camera by Detrick, Alex Manning, and Zach Weissmueller. Special thanks to Ron Thomas.

About 8 minutes.

Go to http://reason.tv/video/show/2145 for a longer discussion, documentation, and related videos.

UPDATE:

The Orange County District Attorney's Office has charged Officer Manuel Ramos with one felony count of second degree murder and one felony count of felony manslaughter.

Officer Jay Cicinelli faces one felony count of manslaughter and a felony count of excessive force.

For developing news on the Kelly Thomas case, visit http://www.fullertonsfuture.org/ .

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  News & Politics

[AmtrakSurfliner768]

I use that bus depot every week. Weird not seeing him around anymore.

[Bleustar Crash]

While it's true that images such as these will never bring back those who have already been lost, hopefully by using these images to hold guilty parties accountable, over time it may act as a deterrent.

Great little doc.

R.I.P. Kelly Thomas

[Jordan Coucke]

There is no excuse. Pure police brutality. It is very sad.

[sailingsolar]

SANTA ANA, Calif. (AP) - The California Supreme Court has declined the appeal of a former Fullerton police officer. The Orange County Register reports the court's ruling Wednesday means Manuel Ramos lost his fourth attempt to keep the case from going to trial. Ramos faces second-degree murder and involuntary manslaughter charges in the death of Kelly Thomas. Thomas, who had schizophrenia, died after a violent altercation with six police officers. What about the other 5 murders?

[BB King]

How can someone, in this case these thugs in pay by the government, murder a homeless man like that? This is beyond me!

[BB King]

How can someone murder a homeless man like that? This is beyond me!

[dufasduck]

The problem is that you will not know that you have come across a bad cop until after you have been beaten or shot. That good cop standing beside him will most likely join him in thumping you down and then the excuses why it was necessary to beat you to death will come one after another and most of the 'cops can never do wrong' supporters will fall in line. Remember, 'we have investigated ourselves and found we never do any wrong' is always in play....

No cop will stop another from beating you

[dufasduck]

I would say that the so called good cops will do their damnedest to cover up for the bad cops. This makes the good cops almost as bad as those bad cops.

[68skate68]

fuck Andrew Goodrich. that pig is corrupt as they come.

[chivo1978]

I REALLY GONA PRAY FOR THOSE FUCKING COPZ TO DIE IN PRISON!