Fullerton, Calif. – On Wednesday, the family of Kelly Thomas, who died from injuries he suffered during an arrest by Fullerton police on July 5, 2011, released medical records, along with graphic images and video detailing the trauma he sustained during the incident.
A lawyer for the Thomas family, Garo Mardirossian, told media Kelly’s medical records from UC Irvine Medical Center prove he died due to blows to his head.
The documents indicate Kelly sustained severe internal bleeding, along with head trauma, injuries to his chest and multiple broken bones – including a shattered nose, broken ribs and a broken cheek bone.
To see graphic photos of Kelly’s injuries, click here.
To read Kelly’s medical records, click here.
Thomas was allegedly beaten by officers during an incident that took place after Fullerton police were called about someone breaking into cars around a bus depot. When they tried to detain Thomas, 37, on possession of stolen items, he allegedly resisted arrest.
To watch a KTLA video report regarding Kelly’s injuries, click here.
Witnesses to the arrest have told media that Thomas was lying on the ground and was unable to put up any resistance to the officer’s blows. Thomas, who suffered from schizophrenia, died on July 10 after his family removed him from life support.
A video posted on YouTube documents the alleged beating, and in it, Thomas can be heard screaming out for his father.
To watch the witness video, click here.
Six Fullerton officers have been placed on involuntary administrative leave as the Orange County District Attorney and the FBI investigate the incident.
Fullerton Police Chief Michael Sellers took an indefinite medical leave of absence in mid-August.
According to KTLA, an attorney for Kelly’s parents has filed a claim with Fullerton that alleges officers “severely beat decedent Kelly Thomas with their fists and with objects and subjected decedent Kelly Thomas to excessive applications of Taser electricity.”
KTLA reports the claim is a “precursor to a civil lawsuit.”
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