dailynews.com: Ex-LAPD officer Mary O’Callaghan gets 3 years in jail for arrestee’s death

26.7.15

Ex-LAPD officer Mary O’Callaghan gets 3 years in jail for arrestee’s death: [dailynews.com] “Mother to mother, I am extremely sorry for the loss of your daughter,” O’Callaghan said.

The case against O’Callaghan stemmed from the July 22, 2012, arrest of Thomas in the 9100 block of South Broadway Avenue.

Thomas, who lost consciousness in the patrol car, was pronounced dead at a hospital. Cocaine intoxication likely was a “major factor” in Thomas’ death, according to autopsy findings, though the coroner’s report lists the cause of death as undetermined.

During his closing argument, Assistant Head Deputy District Attorney Shannon Presby told the 11-woman, one-man jury that O’Callaghan’s use of force was unreasonable given that the unarmed Thomas was being picked up for alleged child abandonment rather than a violent crime and posed little threat to officers.