Thomas found guilty

PINEVILLE, Mo. — Guilty of murder in the second degree and armed criminal action, the jury declared of Danny Thomas.

Thomas sat expressionless at the defense table in front of Mc-Donald Circuit Court Judge John LePage Thursday, July 26. It was a year to the day after Thomas shot Darrell Bone once in the back and twice in the face while he was laying on the ground.

The jurors were polled and each of the four women and eight men stood and said “guilty” after three hours of deliberation.

The trial began with jury selection Monday. The state presented evidence Tuesday and Wednesday, the defense presented witnesses Thursday morning for about half an hour calling four witnesses including Thomas’ elder brother, Richard Thomas.

“There were only two people who knew what happened that day and he (pointing to the defendant) killed the other one,” Jake Skouby, prosecutor, said.

“This same guy who went through all the machinations to get William Williams sent back to prison ... does that sound like him to not try to secure the letter that had the veiled threat?” Skoubyasked the jurors.

“Was Darrell looking at him when he shot him?” Skouby asked jurors, as Bone’s son sat on the front row holding back tears. “If Darrell was alive, the last thing he saw was the barrel of that gun less than three feet from his face.”

“He left Darrell out there all night for the animals and the bugs. It was his intention to just leave,” Skouby said, adding that Thomas did not call for medical attention, did not call the police, but walked inside, turned off the television, gathered up gun ammunition and left in Bone’s truck.

And, Ross Rhoades, the defense, told the jury that they did not have to believe the witnesses, but had to determine for themselves what is the truth and that he doesn’t have to prove anything, but the state has to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

“Danny’s from the old school. He’s 61 years old now. He’s a cowboy. He’s fro a generation that grown men don’t cry. Grown men don’t show fear,” Rhoades said.

Danny’s daughter, Danette Bowles who has not spoken to him since 1997, recalled her childhood with him.

Now, a successful doctor in Fayetteville, she does not have pleasant memories of the man who sat behind the defense table.

On Friday, the jury recommended 13 years for seconddegree murder and three years for armed criminal action. The judge will determine whether the sentences are to be served concurrently or consecutively. Itwas also recommended that Thomas serve 85 percent of his sentence before being considered for parole.

Sentencing is set for Oct. 1.