A Suprising Outcome
Orange County District Attorney Tony Rackauckas announced second-degree murder and involuntary manslaughter charges against two L.A. County police officers for the beating death of Kelly Thomas. Officer Manuel Ramos was charged with one count each of second-degree murder and involuntary manslaughter in the July 5, 2011 confrontation. Police Cpl. Jay Cicinelli was charged with one count each of involuntary manslaughter and excessive force. This is a suprising outcome as most were expecting a coverup of sorts and each of the officers involved to receive minor charges for their part in the beating. But D.A. Rackauckas, after much anticipation, announced the charges on September 22, 2011 and suggested there may be more charges against other officers involved. He said a review of the evidence showed Thomas was acting 'in self-defense, in…