Fullerton Reaches Settlement Agreement With Cathy Thomas

Fullerton has reached a settlement with Cathy Thomas, the mother of Kelly Thomas, to the sum of $1 million.

In a unanimous vote of the City Council, the city has reached an early settlement to claims made by Kelly’s mother regarding the homeless man’s beating death by Fullerton police. Two officers, Manuel Ramos and Jay Cicinelli, will stand trial for his murder in late May.

With the settlement, Fullerton City Attorney Richard D. Jones said that Cathy Thomas will forgo pursuing any claims and that it will “allow her to begin the healing process.”

Brian Gurwitz, the attorney representing Cathy Thomas, condemned the actions of Ramos leading to Kelly Thomas's beating death.

“Manuel Ramos's utter disregard to his dignity is what led to the chain of events that led to his death,” Gurwitz said during the City Council meeting. “If Ramos treated Kelly with the slightest amount of dignity, he would have been alive today.”

Here is the press release from the City:

http://www.cityoffullerton.com/civica/press/display.asp?layout=1&Entry=2660