SANTA ANA, Calif. (AP) — Two former Fullerton police officers must stand trial for the death of mentally ill homeless man Kelly Thomas.
City News Service says an Orange County judge refused Friday to throw out charges of second-degree murder and involuntary manslaughter. He set a June trial for Manuel Ramos and Jay Cicinelli.
Another ex-officer, Joe Wolfe, has a pending hearing on a motion to dismiss a manslaughter charge.
All three have pleaded not guilty to killing Thomas, a 37-year-old schizophrenic who was beaten, Tasered and pinned to the ground in a July 2011 confrontation with six officers.
Video shows him screaming that he couldn't breathe.
He died days later from chest compression that cut off his oxygen. His death sparked protests, the recall of three City Council members and an FBI investigation.
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