Closings begin for officers in homeless death case
SANTA ANA, Calif. (AP) — A prosecutor has replayed portions of a black-and-white surveillance video showing the beating of a homeless man that led to criminal charges against two California police officers.
Orange County District Attorney Tony Rackauckas showed the footage Tuesday as closing arguments began in the trial of former Fullerton police Officer Manuel Ramos, who has pleaded not guilty to murder and involuntary manslaughter.
Former Cpl. Jay Cicinelli has pleaded not guilty to involuntary manslaughter and excessive use of force.
Rackauckas said the video was terrible to watch and depicted a homicide.
He also told jurors that defense arguments about past drug use and violent episodes of victim Kelly Thomas were attempts to smear the victim.
The defense will present its closing argument when the prosecutor concludes.
