BIBB COUNTY, GA — On Sunday, August 21, 2022, the victim stopped at the Publix on Thomaston Road after church when Andrew Gene Thomas, III violently grabbed her purse straps. When she fought back, he dragged her to the ground and fled with her purse. Thomas was chased from the scene by bystanders and apprehended by an off-duty officer who witnessed the attack from his patrol vehicle.
During the trial, which started on Monday, prosecutors showed surveillance footage that captured the attack and a confession in which Thomas said, “I snatched her purse.” Rather than contest the evidence, Thomas, who represented himself in court, chose to attack the integrity of the justice system itself by baselessly accusing the District Attorney’s Office and the Sheriff’s Office of hiring actors to stage the attack to frame Thomas.
Over continued objections by the State, the court permitted the defense to accuse a law enforcement officer of committing a crime without a shred of factual basis. The defense demeaned witnesses and the victim in open court. The court’s failure to intervene was so concerning to the victim that mid-trial the victim requested to speak with District Attorney Anita Howard. The victim rightfully felt the defense tactics being allowed to proceed unchecked made a mockery of the decorum and integrity that justice demands.
The victim requested that DA Howard contact Chief Judge Raymond to request he or another Judge come in the courtroom the next day to observe.
Despite the volume of irrelevant material allowed into the proceedings, the jury was not deterred. After just 12 minutes of deliberation, the jury returned a verdict of guilty on both counts, which included Robbery by Sudden Snatching and Battery. Sentencing is pending. Thomas faces a maximum of 20 years in the Department of Corrections for the robbery conviction and up to 12 months for Battery.
“An innocent victim went to church and stopped for groceries only to be violently attacked in broad daylight,” said DA Howard. “She waited nearly four years for justice, and this jury delivered it in 12 minutes. Our system of justice depends on decorum, integrity, and a commitment to the truth. This jury upheld all three.
We are grateful to the citizens who gave chase, the off-duty officer who acted without hesitation, and the Sheriff’s Office for their work. We are prayerful that the Court will sentence based on the full weight of what this victim endured.”
This case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Amber Cook and Sheridan King.