Cops Vs. Cameras: The Killing of Kelly Thomas & The Power of New Media

The autopsy results from the death of Kelly Thomas, a schizophrenic drifter who was allegedy beaten to death by Fullerton, California police will be announced today by Orange County District Attorney Tony Rackauckas.

Rackauckas will also announce whether he will file charges against the officers involved in Thomas’ death, following the office’s investigation. The confrontation with police took place at a municipal bus station on July 5, with Thomas dying in the hospital five days later. This press conference comes weeks after the Fullerton police refused to answer questions about the case.

Regardless of today’s announcements, Thomas’ death is a case study of how ubiquitous phones with cameras and the Internet are transferring power from the government, police, and the media to the masses. Images and word of the beating spread not because of official communications but by viral cell phone video of the incident and a horrific hospital photo taken by his father of Thomas in a coma.

After the photo and video were released, the Fullerton community reacted in outrage at city council meetings and at protests outside the Fullerton police department. Whatever charges are filed (or not) today, the death of Kelly Thomas will remain an example of how new media is changing the old guard.

Written and produced by Paul Detrick, who also narrates. Camera by Detrick, Alex Manning, and Zach Weissmueller. Special thanks to Ron Thomas.

NOTE: Because of violent images, viewer discretion is advised.

About 8 minutes.

Go to http://reason.tv/video/show/2145

for a longer discussion, documentation, and related videos.

Police Beating of Kelly Thomas in Fullerton, CA

Police Insider Offers New Graphic Description of Fullerton Police B...

Kelly Thomas Memorial and Protest - July 30, 2011

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Permalink Reply by truth on September 21, 2011 at 5:32pm

1 Cop Charged with Murder 1 Other with Manslaughter In Beating Deat...

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Permalink Reply by truth on September 21, 2011 at 11:15pm

Kelly Thomas: Father urges high bail in son's 'horrific' death

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Permalink Reply by Don Cordell on September 22, 2011 at 12:56am

When citizens are convicted of a crime, everyone involved is prosecuted, the entire Fullerton police department should be found guilty and convicted the same way. BUT this is only one case in Fullerton, this tragedy goes on all over our nation with SWAT mentality against citizens. It is time for Americans to rise up and defend our nation, and Restore not Change America. DonCordellforPresident.com

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Permalink Reply by truth on January 30, 2014 at 8:55pm

“There’s a pack of 12 cops waiting to smash your f***ing faces in-----

A Fullerton resident who was arrested after protesting the acquittal of officers involved in the death of Kelly Thomas said police laughed and joked about having a license to kill while asserting, “There’s a pack of 12 cops waiting to smash your fucking faces in.”

Image: Fullerton Police (YouTube).

30-year-old Adam Walder was thrown into a paddy wagon after riot cops ordered demonstrators to disperse during a protest against the ‘not guilty’ verdict which saw Officer Manuel Ramos and Officer Jay Cicinelli acquitted on all charges of manslaughter and murder.

Kelly Thomas, a mentally disabled homeless man, was beaten, tasered, suffocated and pistol whipped as he lay on a street corner being sat on by no less than six police officers during an incident in July 2011. During the disturbing video of the beating, Thomas can be heard pleading for his father, moaning, “Daddy, daddy, they are killing me,” as officers prolong the assault.

Before the assault, Ramos told Thomas, “Do you see my fists?” They’re getting ready to fuck you up.”

According to the jury in the case, Thomas just coincidentally chose to die of an undiagnosed heart condition in hospital five days after the savage beating having never regained consciousness.

Describing the incident that occurred during the subsequent protest, Walder said he was grabbed by cops after refusing to obey the dispersal order quickly enough and thrown into a police van with several other demonstrators.

While being transported to jail, Walder said the police were laughing and grinning. During the journey, one of the cops leaned over to the protesters and with “malice in his voice” said, “There’s a pack of 12 cops waiting to smash your fucking faces in.”

Another officer then immediately remarked, “And I’ve got two words for all of you, ‘NOT GUILTY,’” prompting laughter amongst all the other cops.

This was clearly a reference to the acquittal of the two officers involved in the Thomas beating. The cops were literally laughing and chuckling about the fact that they can get away with the murder of innocent people.

As Filming Cops highlights, the exchange brings to mind previous incidents where cops have laughed and joked about deliberately hurting peaceful protesters, like the example below where Miami police shot a woman in the head with a rubber bullet and then callously celebrated the fact in front of news cameras.