Thomas Family Offered $900K To Settle

The father of a man who died after a violent confrontation with Fullerton police said Saturday that he has been offered $900,000 to settle any civil claims against the city.

A candlelight vigil was held Saturday evening in Fullerton, for Kelly Thomas, 37 and died July 10, five days after clashing with police investigating reports of attempted car burglary.

Ron Thomas' 37-year-old son Kelly Thomas died July 10, five days after clashing with police investigating reports of attempted car burglary. An autopsy failed to determine a cause of death, and further tests are being conducted.

Controversy surrounding the circumstances is building, and more than 200 people turned out Saturday to demonstrate at the Fullerton police station. About the same number participated in a candlelight vigil on the City Hall lawn in the evening.

"It's fantastic," Ron Thomas said amid a sea of picketers. "We've had tremendous support."

The FBI and the Orange County District Attorney are investigating the death, and separately, an attorney representing the city on Friday offered $900,000 to resolve the civil side of the case, Ron Thomas said.

Thomas first disclosed the possible six-figure deal on the Jon and Ken Show at KFI-AM 640. Neither city officials nor the attorney could be reached for comment, and the offer could not be confirmed.

Ron Thomas said he is considering accepting the payment, and that the money would primarily go to a foundation set up in Kelly Thomas' name to assist the homeless. Some money would go to Kelly Thomas' brother and sister and their children, Ron Thomas said.

"I'm willing to listen, but I'm not signing anything at this time," Ron Thomas said.

As for the inquiries being conducted, Thomas said he has "always thought that the District Attorney would do a fair investigation."

Amateur video said to have captured the incident includes audio of Kelly Thomas screaming and being hit repeatedly with a stun gun.

Sgt. Andrew Goodrich, Fullerton police spokesman, said his department "wants this transparent investigation to take place" and that it is "fully cooperating."

One of the six officers involved in the July 5 incident is on administrative leave, and the other five have been temporarily reassigned away from front-line patrol.

Kelly Thomas had a long list of run-ins with police. His convictions were mostly misdemeanors and infractions but include felony assault with a deadly weapon.

On Saturday, protesters descended near the police station on Commonwealth during the day, some saying they were drawn to demonstrate because they have children with mental illnesses.

Rebecca Hunter of Fontana said her son is also 37 years old, homeless and schizophrenic.

"I know the pain he's going through," she said of Ron Thomas.

Much of ire focused on an image of Kelly Thomas in a hospital bed, his eyelids swollen and purple, dried blood coursing across his face.

"That speaks for itself," protester Amy Ayrington said of the picture.

Brea resident Albert Perez held a sign with two photos – one of a healthy-looking Thomas, the other of him battered and bandaged. "Before FPD, After FPD," the sign read.

"Look at the picture," Perez said. "This should never have happened."

By dusk, many held flickering candles in a silent vigil outside City Hall. Soon the crowd that swelled to some 150 people, formed a circle around the flagpole on the lawn.

Some said more politicians, including City Council members, should speak up about the incident they called a "terrible tragedy."

Others said an investigation will yield little and a year from now, when the incident has long receded from the limelight, official reports will find no wrongdoing on the part of the police officers. Still others said the homeless, too, are a part of the fabric of Fullerton.

Among those trying to keep the candles lit in a light breeze was Andrea Sweeney, who came to City Hall with her three daughters and a grandchild.

The 37-year-old who grew up in this city, graduating from Troy High School, said the homeless have long been here.

"He should not have died," she said, referring to Kelly Thomas. "Something has to be done."

Kelly Thomas was a fixture, who many saw, especially commuters at the bus and train depot in town, asking some for a cigarette.

Valerie Mason, 27, doesn't smoke, but she bought him breakfast on occasion and talked with him, as she took the bus to her optician job at the Brea Mall.

"I saw Kelly every morning," she said. "Everybody knew him down here."

She wept on the way to work when she found out what happened. She threw up, she said.

"This is a travesty and it happened in my city," Mason said. "Kelly was living his life."

Cynthia Ward of Anaheim said she was happy to see the turnout.

"No matter how angry all of us are," she said, "The Thomas family are the ones that deserve the prayers and support of the community."

The district attorney is seeking witnesses to Kelly Thomas' encounter with police; anyone with information is asked to call 714-347-8813.

By Jeff Overley and Vik Jolly
Overley and Jolly are writers for the OC Register