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California police officers on trial in death of homeless man

Associated Press
Published | Updated
  • bc46a58a-Homeless Death Police
    Image 1 of 3

    This undated photo provided by Ron Thomas shows his son, Kelly Thomas. It’s been more than two years since Thomas died in a violent confrontation with police. One of the officers, Manuel Ramos, has been charged with second-degree murder, marking the first murder trial of a uniformed police officer in conservative Orange County's history. Jay Cicinelli, 42, has pleaded not guilty to involuntary manslaughter and use of excessive force. Both are free on bail. (AP Photo/Courtesy Ron Thomas) (The Associated Press)

  • f92c6aa5-Homeless Death Police
    Image 2 of 3

    This undated photo provided by Ron Thomas shows his son, Kelly Thomas, while he was homeless. It’s been more than two years since Thomas died in a violent confrontation with police. One of the officers, Manuel Ramos, has been charged with second-degree murder, marking the first murder trial of a uniformed police officer in conservative Orange County's history. Jay Cicinelli, 42, has pleaded not guilty to involuntary manslaughter and use of excessive force. (AP Photo/Courtesy Ron Thomas) (The Associated Press)

  • 4c52c1d9-Homeless Death Police
    Image 3 of 3

    This undated photo provided by Ron Thomas shows Ron with his son, Kelly Thomas, left. It’s been more than two years since Thomas died in a violent confrontation with police. One of the officers, Manuel Ramos, has been charged with second-degree murder, marking the first murder trial of a uniformed police officer in conservative Orange County's history. Jay Cicinelli, 42, has pleaded not guilty to involuntary manslaughter and use of excessive force. Both are free on bail. (AP Photo/Courtesy Ron Thomas) (The Associated Press)

SANTA ANA, Calif. – Opening statements are underway in the trial of two California police officers charged in the death of a homeless man whose family says was schizophrenic.

Orange County District Attorney Tony Rackauckas said Monday that Fullerton officers Manuel Ramos and Jay Cicinelli are responsible for the death of 37-year-old Kelly Thomas in July 2011.

Ramos has pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder and involuntary manslaughter. Cicinelli has pleaded not guilty to involuntary manslaughter and use of excessive force.

Thomas died five days after a violent confrontation with six officers who responded to a call about a man jiggling car door handles in a transit center parking lot.

The case fueled months of protests that led to the resignation of the police chief and a recall election in Fullerton.