Officers in Thomas Kelly Death Acquitted
CATHY THOMAS, MOTHER OF THOMAS KELLY: Part of me died that night with Kelly. Part of me died that night. Part of me died in court.</s>RON THOMAS, FATHER OF THOMAS KELLY: I can finally start a little bit of closure. It's not what I wanted. But I haven't even grieved for my son, I have been so on one track only. And it's time I do all of that.</s>BANFIELD: According to the "Los Angeles Times," the FBI is now saying that it is going to review all of this evidence to see if any kind of further investigation may be necessary now that that court case in California is done. And I am joined by our legal analysts, Danny Cevallos and Lisa Bloom. So, Lisa, let me begin with you. The FBI is getting involved. What might be up their sleeve?</s>LISA BLOOM, CNN LEGAL ANALYST: Maybe some civil rights charges. It reminds me very much of the George Zimmerman case, where there is an acquittal, a lot of people dissatisfied so we ask the FBI and feds to look into it. The reality is I think it's unlikely there will be federal charges. It's hard to get convictions against police officers. We see that in case after case. Even what is a horrific video like there is here, even when the person beaten to death is unarmed and guilty of no crime, as is the case here. It's just very difficult to get criminal charges to stick against police officers.</s>BANFIELD: And, Danny, why is that? Could you explain to me what objectively reasonable means when it comes to people who are resisting arrest and the kind of force that's needed for officers? Especially when it comes to what the jury is told?</s>DANNY CEVALLOS, CNN LEGAL ANALYST: OK. So first, the Constitution and the Fourth Amendment does not require that police officers use the least intrusive method of force in effectuating an arrest. So there is no requirement. Secondly, consider this. The California jury instructions on excessive force, this is what the judge would have told the jury before they deliberated, and it's that an officer need not retreat or desist in the face of resistance. Now, think about that. That's the law. And we may disagree on whether that's fair or not, but courts have made it clear, they will look at the police officers' decision at the time based on the facts that he was confronted with. They recognize that police officers have to make split-second decisions. So courts will not engage in Monday morning quarterbacking. Rather they'll look at what was available to the officer at the time. But it's important to remember that jury was likely told by the judge that an officer need not retreat, he need not desist when a suspect is resisting arrest.</s>BANFIELD: Well, and even though there was all that elation in the courtroom, we saw those pictures, it may not be over if the FBI indeed decides to come down with what Lisa outlined, those civil rights violations that they might be looking at. Lisa, good to see you as always. Thank you.</s>BLOOM: You, as well. And, Danny, you too. You both take care and thanks for your work today. And we are flat out of time. Thanks so much for being with us. Make sure you stay tuned because AROUND THE WORLD starts right after this quick break.