Schizophrenic, homeless Kelly Thomas died from brain damage due to head trauma
Kelly Thomas sustained the injuries while in the custody of six officers of the City of Fullerton Police Department. According to UC Irvine Medical Center records made public by his family’s lawyer, and reported by the L.A. Times online:
“Kelly Thomas suffered blunt head trauma with multiple broken bones in his face and injuries to his chest in the July 5 incident at the Fullerton bus depot and was shocked with a Taser stun gun near his heart and on his back, said lawyer Garo Mardirossian.”
“The immediate cause of death was listed as “brain damage” due to “head trauma” from an assault, medical records show.”
“No narcotics or prescription medications were found in Thomas’ body, according to medical records, Mardirossian said.”
“According to the attorney, Thomas suffered a shattered nose, brain trauma, smashed cheek bone, broken ribs and severe internal bleeding.”
‘Mardirossian said “the officers repeatedly hit Thomas in the face” and they used the butt of the Taser to deliver some of those blows. He said three officers were primarily involved in the “assault.”‘
“Thomas died after five days in the hospital when he was disconnected from life support.”
An official cause of death has not yet been reported by the Orange County coroner’s office, and the office has not completed its report, according to Jim Amormino, a spokesman for the department.
The family’s lawyer, Garo Mardirossian, has filed a claim against the City of Fullerton, California on behalf of Thomas’ father and mother.
Separate investigations are underway by Orange County prosecutors, the FBI, and a police watchdog hired by the city. The city has placed six officers on leave and refused to reveal their names.
Thomas’ father, Ron Thomas, has called for Police Chief Michael Sellers to resign. Sellers went on a medical leave last month.
Residents of Fullerton, California have organized a recall election for three city council members that they say have been unresponsive to concerns about the incident.
(Note added September 22, 2011: A digital recording of the incident has resulted in a Fullerton police officer being charged with second-degree murder.)
-Bill at
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