Voice of OC (https://voiceofoc.org/tag/ron-thomas/)
Less than a week after it opened, Knott’s Berry Farm Tuesday shuttered a Halloween attraction criticized by mental health advocates for perpetuating the social stigma of mental illness.
A new Halloween horror attraction that opened last week at Knott’s Berry Farm has drawn criticism from advocates who say it includes offensive and dehumanizing depictions of mental health patients.
The Fullerton City Council Monday agreed to settle the suit brought by Ron Thomas, the father of the mentally-ill transient who died in 2011 after being beaten by six Fullerton police officers.
The father of Thomas, a mentally ill transient who died after being beaten by Fullerton police, has sued the city as well as the officers and two former police chiefs.
The father of the Kelly Thomas is hopeful civil rights charges will be brought against the Fullerton cops who beat his son to death. But experts say the odds are against it.
Similar to Rodney King’s, the Kelly Thomas case showed reluctance of juries to convict police. Also like King’s beating, Thomas’s death will have long-lasting impact.
The trial of Fullerton police officers charged with murder and manslaughter is tentatively set to begin June 28.
He tentatively rules that proceedings continue against two Fullerton police officers charged with beating to death a mentally ill, homeless drifter.
District Attorney Tony Rackauckas charged Joseph Wolf with involuntary manslaughter and excessive use of force.
Thomas’ father, Ron Thomas, said the DA will ask the grand jury for an indictment.
