Two California police officers were acquitted Monday in the death of a homeless man in July of 2011.
The violent incident was captured by a surveillance camera at a busy transit center. The dead man – Kelly Thomas, 37 – is shown on the tape screaming for his father repeatedly and begging for air as he was jolted with an electric stun gun, beaten and kneed.
Defense attorneys said during the trial that Thomas was a threat to the officers and that the cops were only doing their jobs. They also presented evidence that an enlarged heart due to previous drug use was the reason for Thomas’ death.
Jurors returned their verdicts in less than two days – clearing officers of second degree murder, involuntary manslaughter and excessive use of force.
Ron Thomas, father of the victim, said outside the courthouse that the verdict gave police “carte blanche” to brutalize people.
Source: Associated Press
