The City of Fullerton has reached a $4.9 million settlement with the family of Kelly Thomas, a mentally ill homeless man who was beaten to death during a 2011 altercation with Fullerton police. The agreement was approved by the city council during a closed meeting Monday, just as opening statements were set to begin in the civil trial. That civil suit alleged assault and battery, negligence, wrongful death and civil rights violations by members of the Fullerton Police Department.
The settlement comes nearly one year after two officers, Manuel Ramos and Jay Cicinelli, were acquitted of charges relating to Thomas’ death. The case against a third officer, Joseph Wolfe, was also dropped.
As part of the settlement, the defendants admit no wrongdoing. But Garo Mardirossian, attorney for Thomas’ father Ron, said the agreement itself was a “tacit admission” of guilt.
“Although the city would like to say it’s not admitting liability, the reality is when you’re paying $4.9 million, almost five times what the mother took to settle her case, that speaks loudly and clearly and in volume.”
Garo was referring to a $1 million settlement already reached between Thomas’ mother and the city in 2012.
Read more about the latest settlement here.