Hearing delayed after man beaten during alleged robbery unable to testify due to injuries
The man who suffered a broken jaw and blindness in his right eye after being beaten and shot with a pellet gun during an alleged robbery earlier this month was unable to testify at a hearing Tuesday, causing a delay.
Antonio Frank Thomas
Courtesy of the WCSO
Antonio Frank Thomas, 23, is accused of being part of a group of men who attacked the 53-year-old Ypsilanti man at 9:15 p.m. on Aug. 12 before going through his pockets. The man was severely beaten, suffering a broken jaw, and was shot in the eye with a pellet gun, causing permanent blindness in that eye, according to police.
The man took the stand for a brief period Tuesday morning, but told Washtenaw County Assistant Prosecutor J. Samuel Holtz that he wasn’t able to speak for long periods of time, due to injuries from the alleged assault.
The hearing was adjourned for two weeks until 8:30 a.m. Sept. 11 by District Court Judge Joseph Burke.
Thomas is charged with armed robbery, assault with intent to rob while armed, assault with intent to murder, assault with intent to do bodily harm less than murder and assault with a dangerous weapon. He’s being held in the Washtenaw County Jail on a $150,000 bond.
Michael Vincent, Thomas’ attorney, attempted to get the bond lowered to a more manageable level Tuesday. He said the high bond didn’t give his client or Thomas’ family any chance of bailing him out of jail.
“My client remains innocent until proven guilty. One hundred and fifty thousand dollars might as well be $150 million,” he said.
Holtz countered by saying that any delays in the hearing were caused by the assault allegedly committed by Thomas — if the victim had a healthy jaw, then he wouldn’t need more time to heal, he said.
In addition, Thomas and his family know the man and have had a relationship for years, which made Holtz wary of releasing him while the case was still pending.
“He has known the victim, he knows his family … he’s had a relationship with him for many years,” Holtz said.
Burke eventually decided not to amend the bond and Thomas was returned to jail to wait for his next hearing.
Kyle Feldscher covers cops and courts for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at kylefeldscher@annarbor.com or you can follow him on Twitter.
Comments
Rene Porter
Thu, Oct 25, 2012 : 9:22 p.m.
that is so bad he should have read up on his safety www.airsplat.com/safety
ddjames
Thu, Aug 30, 2012 : 2:15 p.m.
"the man" I had to start this article over 4 times before I finally got that the man and Thomas are not the same person. One the victim the other the accused. Please don't refer to someone as " the man" so many times in article as important as this.
Cameron McLain
Thu, Aug 30, 2012 : 4:55 p.m.
In the first sentence "the man" is defined, as "the 53-year-old Ypsilanti man" And antonio thomas as either, antonio, or thomas. Simple.
Paul Epstein
Thu, Aug 30, 2012 : 10:48 a.m.
I think there ought to be consequence-based penalties, not just intent-based ones. Now someone has lost the use of part of his body in a horrible way. Next worst thing to murder, in my opinion. This here far-left liberal says----no bond/throw the book at him!
Kyle Feldscher
Wed, Aug 29, 2012 : 7:33 p.m.
I have changed "beat" the headline and the story to "beaten." Thanks for pointing out the mistake.
Billy Bob Schwartz
Wed, Aug 29, 2012 : 8:33 p.m.
You're welcome.
GoNavy
Wed, Aug 29, 2012 : 7:49 p.m.
Measure twice, cut once...
GoNavy
Wed, Aug 29, 2012 : 5:15 p.m.
Seriously? He was "beat"? His jaw was broken after "being beat"?
Tru2Blu76
Wed, Aug 29, 2012 : 2:44 p.m.
Medically speaking: I see the need for the victim to have more time for healing of his injuries. I don't think 4 weeks is "excessive" in that regard. All in all, this case seems to be handled well by the judge and prosecutor. Mr. Thomas's defense attorney is just doing his job - representing his client's best interests. Asking for a lowering of the bond is understandable, though many may jump to conclusions either way. Given the circumstances and probable evidence, the court exercised due care and caution in refusing the defense's request. It will be interesting to see the outcome of this trial.
Billy
Wed, Aug 29, 2012 : 1:46 p.m.
"Burke eventually decided not to amend the bond and Thomas was returned to jail to wait for his next hearing." Everything is as it should be then.
cinnabar7071
Wed, Aug 29, 2012 : 1:28 p.m.
If he hired Michael Vincent he has money. The best comes at a cost.
microtini
Wed, Aug 29, 2012 : 1:23 p.m.
"Beaten."
Billy Bob Schwartz
Wed, Aug 29, 2012 : 4:12 p.m.
...in the headline, Kyle.
Brad
Wed, Aug 29, 2012 : 1:20 p.m.
"He said the high bond didn't give his client or Thomas' family any chance of bailing him out of jail." I think that's sort of the whole idea.
Matt Cooper
Wed, Aug 29, 2012 : 4:19 p.m.
Actually, no it's not. Bond is not used as a punishment to keep someone locked up (you cannot punish someone prior to conviction because they are innocent until proven guilty). It is used to make sure they show up for their next court appearance.