Posted by CotoBlogzz
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA - Joseph Wolfe , Former Fullerton PD arraigned yesterday for
his criminal participation in the July 2011 beating-death of 37-year-old
homeless man Kelly Thomas. Wolfe
is scheduled for a pre-trial hearing
Nov. 2, 2012.
Since that time, former Officer Manuel Ramos and former Corporal Jay Cicinelli were charged Sept. 21, 2011, according to the Orange County District Attorney’s office (OCDA,) the OCDA has actively continued its investigation and legal review and decided to seek an indictment against Wolfe.
The Orange County Grand Jury heard testimony from 10 witnesses and examined 113 exhibits of evidence over three days beginning Sept. 19, 2012, before returning an indictment on Sept. 24, 2012. Since the law requires that grand jury transcripts, including any evidence or testimony, to be sealed until 10 calendar days have passed from the date of receipt of those transcripts by the defense, the OCDA is legally prohibited from discussing any information related to the grand jury proceedings at this time.
Since that time, former Officer Manuel Ramos and former Corporal Jay Cicinelli were charged Sept. 21, 2011, according to the Orange County District Attorney’s office (OCDA,) the OCDA has actively continued its investigation and legal review and decided to seek an indictment against Wolfe.
The Orange County Grand Jury heard testimony from 10 witnesses and examined 113 exhibits of evidence over three days beginning Sept. 19, 2012, before returning an indictment on Sept. 24, 2012. Since the law requires that grand jury transcripts, including any evidence or testimony, to be sealed until 10 calendar days have passed from the date of receipt of those transcripts by the defense, the OCDA is legally prohibited from discussing any information related to the grand jury proceedings at this time.
According to the OCDA:
Cicinelli is charged with one felony count of involuntary manslaughter and one felony count of the use of excessive force. He faces a maximum sentence of four years in state prison if convicted. Cicinelli is out of custody on $25,000 bail.
Ramos and Cicinelli are scheduled for a pre-trial trial setting conference Nov. 30, 2012, at 9:00 a.m. in Department C-40, Central Justice Center, Santa Ana.
Due to a lack of evidence, as described below, criminal charges have not been filed against the remaining three officers involved in the incident including Officer Kenton Hampton, Sergeant Kevin Craig, and Corporal James Blatney.
The decision regarding seeking criminal charges against all three defendants was made by District Attorney Rackauckas.
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