According to the LA Times:

Two Fullerton police officers have been criminally charged in the violent confrontation that left a homeless man dead, Orange County Dist. Atty. Tony Rackauckas announced Wednesday. Officer Manuel Ramos has been charged with second-degree murder and involuntary manslaughter in connection with the beating of 37-year-old Kelly Thomas, a homeless schizophrenic man. Officer Jay Cicinelli has been charged with involuntary manslaughter and excessive use of force. Read entire story HERE.

This is a huge step in the right direction, though nothing will replace the loss the Thomas Family has endured, I can’t help but to be skeptical. How many people, who aren’t cops, can kill someone and then wait – running free – three months for charges to be brought against them? Would charges even have been filed without the protest, media attention and video evidence? Probably not.

Not to mention that this is still step one. Although Mr. Rackauckas seems to be passionate about maintaining justice for Kelly Thomas, I’m guessing Jay Cicinelli will cut a deal to testify against Emanuel Ramos – reducing his sentence. Which brings up another point… even if found guilty what kind of sentence will they get? Will it be like the Bart officers, who served less than half his sentence?

I guess only time will tell. My condolences (again) to the family of Kelly Thomas and I hope the state doesn’t play games (by cutting deals, reducing sentences for their ‘public service’ or drag it out for years) with their emotions/grieving process. All of these officers, including the once who stood around afterwards, should have been jailed long time ago.