Listen Live
Donate
 on air
    Schedule

    KCRW

    Read & Explore

    • News
    • Entertainment
    • Food
    • Culture
    • Events

    Listen

    • Live Radio
    • Music
    • Podcasts
    • Full Schedule

    Information

    • About
    • Careers
    • Help / FAQ
    • Newsletters
    • Contact

    Support

    • Become a Member
    • Become a VIP
    • Ways to Give
    • Shop
    • Member Perks

    Become a Member

    Donate to KCRW to support this cultural hub for music discovery, in-depth journalism, community storytelling, and free events. You'll become a KCRW Member and get a year of exclusive benefits.

    DonateGive Monthly

    Copyright 2026 KCRW. All rights reserved.

    Report a Bug|Privacy Policy|Terms of Service|
    Cookie Policy
    |FCC Public Files|

    Back to Which Way, L.A.?

    Which Way, L.A.?

    Investigation of Kelly Thomas Beating by Fullerton Police

    Two Fullerton police officers face criminal charges in last July's beating death of Kelly Thomas , who was homeless and mentally ill. In the aftermath, police officials released a two-year old booking photo of Thomas, looking dirty and disheveled with long, shaggy hair.

    • rss
    • Share
    By Warren Olney • May 12, 2014 • 1 min read

    Two Fullerton police officers face criminal charges in last July's beating death of Kelly Thomas, who was homeless and mentally ill. In the aftermath, police officials released a two-year old booking photo of Thomas, looking dirty and disheveled with long, shaggy hair. They also said he had a history of violence, and that two officers had suffered broken bones during the deadly altercation. Neither turned out to be true. Community leaders and local activists accused the police of trying to win sympathy for their accused colleagues, and the City Council hired watchdog attorney Michael Gennaco to conduct an independent investigation. We hear from him and from Thomas' father, Ron, who has been highly critical of the Fullerton police.

    The full episode

    2 of 3
    California Republicans Gear Up for State Convention
    1. 0:00California Republicans and the Race for President
    2. 13:29Investigation of Kelly Thomas Beating by Fullerton PoliceYou’re reading this
    3. 26:13Pain at the Pump: What's behind the High Gas Prices?
    • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

      Warren Olney

      former KCRW broadcaster

    • KCRW placeholder

      Karen Radziner

      Managing Producer, To the Point & Which Way LA?

    • Sonya Geis with wavy brown hair wearing a black dress with red accents and decorative earrings against a white background.

      Sonya Geis

      Senior Managing Editor

    • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

      Caitlin Shamberg

      KCRW

    • KCRW placeholder

      Michael Gennaco

      Justice Department (formerly)

    • KCRW placeholder

      Ron Thomas

      father of Kelly Thomas

      News

    The full episode

    2 of 3
    California Republicans Gear Up for State Convention
    1. 0:00California Republicans and the Race for President
    2. 13:29Investigation of Kelly Thomas Beating by Fullerton PoliceYou’re reading this
    3. 26:13Pain at the Pump: What's behind the High Gas Prices?
    Back to Which Way, L.A.?