Santa Ana, California (CNN) -- A California judge ordered Wednesday that two Fullerton police officers stand trial in the beating death last year of Kelly Thomas, a homeless man with a mental illness. Officer Manuel Ramos is charged with second-degree murder and involuntary manslaughter, and Cpl. Jay Patrick Cicinelli is charged with involuntary manslaughter and felony use of excessive force. Orange County Superior Court Judge Walter Schwarm scheduled the next hearing in the case on May 22. Schwarm's ruling came after a three-day preliminary hearing that ended Wednesday. Orange County District Attorney Tony Rackauckas, who's prosecuting the case, told reporters that he expected defense attorneys to challenge Wednesday's ruling in a motion and possibly an appeal.
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NEW: "This kind of incident is very damaging to the community," D.A. tells reporters
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A judge orders two Fullerton police officers to stand trial on all charges
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Kelly Thomas, 37, who was homeless, was beaten last year in Fullerton, California
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Officer Manuel Ramos and Cpl. Jay Patrick Cicinelli are charged in the death
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