Two Fullerton police officers face felony charges in a beating in July that left a homeless man dead, the Orange County district attorney said Wednesday. Officer Manuel Ramos was charged with second-degree murder and involuntary manslaughter in the beating of Kelly Thomas, 37, a drifter with schizophrenia who died five days after the encounter with the police, who were responding to reports of attempted break-ins to cars. Cpl. Jay Cicinelli was charged with involuntary manslaughter and excessive use of force.

The district attorney, Tony Rackauckas, said the primary cause of Mr. Thomas’s death was compression of his chest that left him unable to breathe as police officers held him down and beat him. Six officers were placed on leave after the beating, but the four others have not been charged.