Image of Alesia Thomas held at Press Conference On Friday a jury convicted Officer Mary O’Callaghan, 50, a Los Angeles Police Department officer, of assaulting an arrestee under the color of authority.
Officer Mary O’Callaghan was seen on video kicking and punching Alesia Thomas, a handcuffed woman in the back of the police car. Thomas soon lost consciousness and later died at the hospital a few hours later.
Thomas had asked for medical attention soon after the assault but it took a full 30 minutes before police called for the paramedics. Prosecutors couldn't prove the assault led directly to the death of Thomas. An autopsy by the Los Angeles Coroner's Office found that cocaine in her system was likely “a major factor” in her death.
Officer Mary O’Callaghan was seen on video kicking and punching Alesia Thomas, a handcuffed woman in the back of the police car. Thomas soon lost consciousness and later died at the hospital a few hours later.
Thomas had asked for medical attention soon after the assault but it took a full 30 minutes before police called for the paramedics. Prosecutors couldn't prove the assault led directly to the death of Thomas. An autopsy by the Los Angeles Coroner's Office found that cocaine in her system was likely “a major factor” in her death.
|  LAPD Officer Mary O’Callaghan is seen during her assault trial. (Credit: Genaro Molina/Los Angeles Times) |
O’Callaghan now faces up to three years in state prison and fines when she returns to court for sentencing on July 23.
Written By: Lauren B. I @laurenbeal
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