Santa Ana , California ( CNN ) -- A jury of eight women and four men on Thursday began deliberating the fate of two former Fullerton police officers in the beating death of a mentally ill homeless man . The beating of Kelly Thomas in a transit parking lot was recorded by security cameras on the night of July 5 , 2011 . The surveillance camera footage shows Thomas being beaten , clubbed , and stunned with a Taser by police . The video sparked a nationwide outcry . Former Deputy Manuel Ramos was charged with second-degree murder and involuntary manslaughter . A second former Fullerton officer , Jay Cicinelli , was charged with involuntary manslaughter and excessive use of force . In closing arguments , Orange County District Attorney Tony Rackauckas told jurors that Ramos bore responsibility for Thomas 's death because he issued a threat to the uncooperative homeless man . Ramos can be seen on the surveillance video putting on gloves and shaking his fist in Thomas 's face . `` See these fists , '' Ramos says , `` They will f*** you up . '' What followed was a struggle involving Thomas and several officers that had a badly battered Thomas pleading for mercy . Thomas was taken to a hospital and later declared dead . But defense attorney John Barnett earlier told jurors that Ramos 's statement was not meant literally . It was a `` verbal strategy '' to elicit cooperation from a combative Thomas , according to Barnett . Outside the courthouse , Barnett told the press that the case had caused great harm to Southern California law enforcement , `` All law enforcement has to look over their shoulders now , because they fear they can be prosecuted for doing their job . '' Michael Schwartz , attorney for Cicinelli , said , `` We have a tragedy in this case . Someone died . We do n't convict people in this country to find closure . '' The defense has argued that the officers did not use excessive force and other measures had failed to subdue a combative Thomas . Rackauckas said the case was not a reflection on all law enforcement , but rather an indictment of two officers who , according to him , acted outside the law .
Michael Thomas , 37 , died after being beaten by Fullerton Police Department officers . Two former officers are on trial in his case . Manuel Ramos is charged with second - degree murder and involuntary manslaughter . Jay Rodriguez is charged with involuntary assault and use of excessive force .