More than 200 citizens turned out at a Fullerton, Calif., city council meeting Tuesday, demanding accountability for the death of a homeless man at the hands of police officers, reports the Orange County Register. Officers confronted Kelly Thomas, 37, on July 5 while investigating reports of a man burglarizing cars. Police say he became violent and was subdued by six officers. He died five days later of head and neck injuries. All six involved officers are now on paid administrative leave.
City Attorney Richard Jones said Tuesday that the city council, not the police chief, will have final say on any discipline imposed on the officers. The council listened for more than three hours as citizens expressed anger at the death and how city officials have handled subsequent events. Among those speaking was Ron Thomas, father of the dead man.