California city to pay $4.9 million in death of mentally ill man

A $4.9-million settlement has been reached in the death of mentally ill homeless man Kelly Thomas.

The city of Fullerton and current and former police officers reached the settlement Monday with Thomas’ father, his attorney confirmed Monday.

City Atty. Richard Jones made the announcement just hours before a civil lawsuit was set to go to trial in Santa Ana.

Jones would not confirm the amount until it had been approved by the city’s insurers.

“The contemplated settlement has been negotiated by the city’s insurers and has been reviewed by the city,” Jones said in the statement. “No city funds are involved in this settlement.”

In 2011, Thomas, who suffered from schizophrenia, was beaten by Fullerton police when he wouldn’t follow their commands. He died a few days later.

Thomas’ mother Cathy accepted a $1-million settlement from the city in May 2012.

“Although the city would like to say it’s not admitting liability, the reality is when you’re paying $4.9 million, almost five times what the mother took to settle her case, that speaks loudly and clearly and in volume,” said Garo Mardirossian, attorney for Thomas’ father Ron. “The act of having agreed to pay that large amount is a tacit admission, whether they admit it or not.”