Protesters at an Aug. 14, 2011, event show support for Thomas (photo courtesy of Creative Commons).

The two officers, Manuel Ramos and Jay Cicinelli, were both freed of all charges, which included one count of second-degree murder and one count of involuntary manslaughter for Ramos and one count of involuntary manslaughter and one count of excessive use of force for Cicinelli.

SEE ALSO: DA Charges Fullerton Police Officers In Homeless Death

The two officers were charged after Kelly Thomas, a 37-year-old mentally ill homeless man, died from what the Orange County Coroner said was lack of oxygen to the brain. Fullerton police officers struggled to subdue Thomas at a Fullerton bus station on July 5, 2011, and the altercation put Thomas in the hosptial, where he died five days later.

Both sides differed on how Thomas died. Prosecutors argued that the 37-year-old died from a lack of oxygen to the brain from chest compression and facial injuries, but the defense said Thomas died because of an enlarged heart problem exacerbated by methamphetamine use.

ABC News said, "Prosecutors argued that surveillance video shows proof that Ramos abused his authority, turning a routine encounter into a deadly one with his threat." But the officers said they were doing their jobs and following protocol when dealing with a combative suspect.

The Orange County district attorney said his office would drop charges against the third officer involved, ex-Fullerton officer Joseph Wolfe.

Reach Senior Reporter Max Schwartz here; follow him on Twitter here.