By City News Service

The former Fullerton corporal acquitted in the in-custody death of transient Kelly Thomas is seeking to get his job back, now that the criminal charges are behind him, one of his attorneys said Tuesday. Meanwhile, Thomas' father held a news conference in Los Angeles with his attorney to announce deposition notices were issued Tuesday to the officers named in the civil suit he filed against the city on the one-year anniversary of the July 5, 2011, confrontation at the city bus depot that led to his 37-year-old son's death five days later.

Former Cpl. Jay Cicinelli's attempt to win his job back was put on hold during the trial, which ended Monday with him being cleared of involuntary manslaughter and use of excessive force. He can now begin the process of regaining the post he lost in July 2012 through an administrative hearing, said his attorney Zachery Lopes. The hearing, which can be public if Cicinelli wishes, would lead to a recommendation to city officials, Lopes said. If city officials refuse to take Cicinelli back onto the force, the ex-corporal can seek a "writ of mandate" in Orange County Superior Court, Lopes said.

If a Superior Court judge rules against Cicinelli, then he could try to appeal to higher courts, but that is rare and difficult to do, Lopes said. It was not known if former Office Manuel Ramos, who was acquitted of second-degree murder and involuntary manslaughter charges in Thomas' death, would try to get his post back.

Former Officer Joe Wolfe, who was indicted on charges of involuntary manslaughter and excessive force and also lost his job in July 2012, is likely to have the criminal matter dismissed, Orange County District Attorney Tony Rackauckas said after Monday's verdicts.

Thomas' father and Mardirossian hope federal authorities bring a federal civil rights action against the officers.

"I think it's very important that the federal government step in," Ron Thomas told reporters at a news conference at his attorney's office. "That's what we really want as a family." On Monday evening, the FBI released a statement noting that it opened an investigation in 2011 "to determine if Mr. Thomas' civil rights were violated during the altercation with Fullerton police officers. With the conclusion of the state court trial, investigators will examine the evidence and testimony to determine if further investigation is warranted at the federal level."