Opening statements are made Monday. Defense will argue the beating was not responsible for Thomas' death following a confrontation with Fullerton Police.
An independent coroner is still likely to get an answer, though.
Accused serial killer is believed to have ingested Ajax cleanser.
An official cause of death has not been released, but a prosecutor suggested Itzcoatl Ocampo died from ingesting the cleanser.
Itzcoatl Ocampo, accused of preying on the Orange County homeless in 2011, died 18 hours after being discovered sick in his jail cell.
The Orange County District Attorney's Office believes there could be more victims of plastic surgeon Jay W. Calvert.
Robert McFarland Pettis, 48, faces a maximum of nine years and eight months in prison for a high-speed crash in Laguna Beach that claimed the lives of Alberto Casique, 47, and Armando Gonzalez, 38.
Six small dogs have been killed recently by coyotes at Top of the World.
Incorrect blood-alcohol readings from the Orange County Crime Lab may clear about 20 people arrested for drunken driving. Or maybe not, says the DA.
The father's cell phone "pinged" in San Diego last night, and again Wednesday.
Be careful with those matches and ashes. It's going to be a blustery day.
The incident was reported at 3.07 p.m. Sunday.
The alleged shooter Paul Anthony Ciancia remains hospitalized with four gunshot wounds.
"It would be premature to comment on a motivation at this time and joint investigators have neither ruled out terrorism, nor ruled it in," according to the FBI.
The Laguna Beach residents were arrested on drug charges following an undercover sting operation by police.