SHORT COMMUNICATION 320
The Whole Truth
By
Roger Behra
Finally, the whole Fullerton, California world has learned what actually happened to Kelly Thomas at the hands of the Fullerton police on July 5, 2011. It is all on video and from the mouth of Fullerton District Atterney Tony Rackauckas: the whole truth, nothing but the truth, so help us Tony. The facts are known and the cover-up has been exposed. It is an awful tale to be told, but here it is.
The Fullerton police on the street were the original culprits. Then after that the Fullerton police force and the Fullerton City Council got together and tried to cover-up the whole affairs. They tried to hide from the public what really went on during and after the blatant murder of Kelly Thomas.
The cruel and gruesome murder in broad daylight at the hands of the Fullerton police has severely harmed the trust that people now have in police, in police forces, and city officials. The established opinion now is police will lie, deny, coverup, and stand together if it serves them well, and that they can have help from their police force and city officials. It is regreatable4, but they brought it on to themselves. The trust is forever lost.
On July 5, 2011, the police were called to the Fullerton bus depot. Someone was breaking into cars. Soon a very large, fat, overweight policeman responded and saw Thomas doing just that. As Manuel Ramos approached, Thomas gave the policeman some lip, but he was not threatening. Ramos holstered his gun, put on a pair of latex gloves, and started the show: “See these fists…..these fists are going to f…you up”. As that was happening, another policeman came in swinging a baton at Thomas who cried out in pain on the ground. A third policeman came in and used a taster and then hammered Thomas in the face with it. Blood pooled on the ground. Other policemen arrived and also piled on Thomas who was yelling, “I can´t breathe”. The policemen crushed the life out of Thomas and he died from it all.
The police turned a routine encounter into a beating death. Ramos is going on trial for second-degree murder. Cicinelli, the second policeman, is going on trial for manslaughter. The third policeman was fired for misusing a taster.
Some very important points were revealed by District Atterney Tony Rackauckas: that the police cannot be trusted; the police will change facts and lie to protect themselves; that the police chiefs and their departments will give out disinformation and defend policemen who have done wrong; that city councils will join them in disinformation and support. The Fullerton episode is a perfect example of such craven and unconscionable behavior that can happen anywhere and at any time. The good part is the Fullerton District Atterney came to the rescue, and the citizen of Fullerton found out what truly happened from start to finish, and that the trio of culprits who were involved will receive their just punishments. The courage and honesty of Tony Rackauckas should be highly praised. He was considerably outnumbered, indeed. Thanks to him truth and justice will prevail in Fullerton California.
R. B.
7-8-12