Chaos Erupts at Fullerton Council Meeting

A shouting match between Fullerton's mayor and angry residents broke out during a council meeting Tuesday night. Wednesday six Fullerton police officers may be charged in the beating death of a homeless man.

Fullerton Mayor Richard Jones tried to address a standing room only crowd Tuesday night at a city council meeting, but he was shouted down and chaos erupted.

Kelly Thomas Case Timeline

Many in the audience wanted to hear about the district attorney's investigation into the Kelly Thomas case. Thomas, a homeless man with mental illness, died five days after a July altercation with six Fullerton police officers.

"We're anxiously hoping that this thing will be resolved by the DA as soon as possible, so that we can move on," said Mayor Richard Jones.

"Will you please shut up," asked Jones in answer to a person shouting at the meeting. "Will you please shut up."

Emotions were running especially high because Wednesday is the day the Orange County district attorney is expected to announce whether charges will be filed against the six police officers involved in the beating death of Thomas.

His father has been told he will not be allowed inside the DA's news conference, which is scheduled for 11 a.m.

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"Extremely disappointed. I feel it's my absolute right as Kelly's father to know before the public knows. I can't believe they would do this," said Ron Thomas, Kelly Thomas' father

He's not optimistic about the DA's findings, considering local law enforcement was conducting riot training on Tuesday, Thomas said.

"You have all your police departments prep for a riot, why? Because you're going to have a very bad decision coming out," said Thomas.

Kelly Thomas' death outraged Fullerton residents, who've been holding weekly protests ever since.

"There's anger and venom out here," said Craig Flores, Fullerton resident. "Tremendous amounts of it, and we're not going anywhere."

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