'Wait, what?': Judge delivers wrong verdict to man on trial in deputy's death
Alton Oliver, 26, went to trial last week on charges in connection with the 2022 fatal shooting of Fulton County Sheriff's Office Deputy James Thomas Jr. Thomas, who was 24, was found dead in a crashed vehicle.
Oliver was charged with six criminal counts, officials said, including three counts of murder. On Aug. 15, he was found not guilty and cleared of all charges by a jury of his peers, Judge Henry Newkirk announced.
According to 11Alive and Fox 5 Atlanta, Oliver testified he shot Thomas Jr. in self-defense after the deputy propositioned him to get into his vehicle for sex multiple times as he walked home from work at about 4:30 a.m.
Oliver's attorneys claimed self-defense throughout the trial, as prosecutors argued his account of events was inconsistent, noting he did not mention any sexual advances when first questioned by police, Fox 5 Atlanta reported.
The jury found Oliver not guilty, but Newkirk initially announced a guilty verdict on all six counts.
Shortly after, at least two members of the jury were heard saying from the jury box, "Wait, what?" The judge paused, footage from the trial shows, then he reread the verdict.
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'Didn't I say 'not'?'
Before realizing the mistake, the judge responded, 'Didn't I say 'not'?' He then reread the correct statement, acquitting Oliver of all six criminal charges.
"We the jury find the defendant not guilty of all counts," the judge said after correcting himself.
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Who was Deputy James Thomas Jr.?
A Mississippi native, Thomas Jr. served with the sheriff's office for less than a year, Sheriff Patrick Labat said in a statement after the shooting.
"Deputy Thomas served Fulton County residents with honor and distinction," the sheriff said. "His death is a tragic reminder of the dangers of this job that our deputies are willing to accept every day."
According to a GoFundMe created by Briana Lampkin of Dallas, Thomas' dream had been to become a law enforcement officer.
"He did just that; followed and lived vividly through his dream guided with love, integrity, and passion," Lampkin wrote on the fundraiser page. "Please keep our family in your prayers and we thank you for continuing to honor (him)."
USA TODAY contacted the sheriff's office and Lampkin on Wednesday, Aug. 20, but has not received a response.
Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@usatoday.com and follow her on X @nataliealund.
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