Nationwide — Shaurn Thomas, an African American man from Philadelphia who as soon as acquired $4.1 million after being free of a wrongful homicide conviction, is again in jail after pleading responsible to killing a person over a $1,200 cocaine dispute.
Thomas, 50, admitted to fatally capturing 38-year-old Akeem Edwards in 2023. Prosecutors mentioned the dispute began when Edwards, a buddy of Thomas’ girlfriend, allegedly didn’t pay him for cocaine he was given to promote, in keeping with the New York Publish.
The case shocked the court docket, with Choose Roxanne Covington questioning why somebody with thousands and thousands would danger returning to jail over such a small quantity. When requested if the info have been true, Thomas replied, “Sure, your honor.”
Along with homicide, Thomas pleaded responsible to conspiracy, unlawful gun possession, and different fees. Edwards’ household has mentioned they need him to stay in jail for all times. He was finally sentenced to 33 to 66 years in jail.
Thomas first made headlines in 2017 when his 1992 homicide conviction was overturned attributable to flaws within the investigation. The Pennsylvania Innocence Challenge helped safe his launch, resulting in a multimillion-dollar settlement from the town.
On the time, prosecutors maintained they weren’t fully satisfied of his innocence however selected to not retry him. Thomas had been simply 20 years previous when he was initially sentenced to life in jail.
Practically eight years after regaining his freedom, Thomas is again in jail, this time for against the law he overtly admits to committing.
