Shaurn Thomas, once exonerated after spending 24 years in prison for a crime he didn’t commit, is back behind bars.
After receiving a $4.1 million settlement from the city of Philadelphia in 2017 for his wrongful conviction, Thomas is now pleading guilty to a 2023 murder.
His journey from freedom to jail raises important questions about the legal system and the consequences of past actions.
Wrongful Conviction and Release
In the early 1990s, Thomas was wrongfully convicted of second-degree murder for the 1990 shooting of Puerto Rican businessman Domingo Martinez.
Despite maintaining his innocence, he was sentenced to life in prison.
Years later, the Innocence Project uncovered key evidence that pointed to his wrongful conviction.
It was revealed that police had ignored Thomas’ potential alibi and failed to disclose crucial witness statements that could have led to other suspects.
With this evidence, the case against him began to unravel, and in 2017, Thomas was released from prison.
A Shocking Change in His Life
After his release, Thomas settled a lawsuit with the city for $4.15 million.
He joined a community of other wrongly convicted individuals who had been freed after their cases were overturned.
It was there he met Ketra Veasy, a woman whose brother had his own conviction overturned.
Over the next few years, Thomas and Veasy developed a relationship, which ultimately led to his involvement in a tragic crime.
The Murder of Akeem Edwards
In January 2023, Thomas became involved in the murder of 38-year-old Akeem Edwards over a $1,200 drug debt.
Thomas had asked Veasy to connect him with Edwards, and soon after, Thomas handed Edwards a bag of cocaine with the understanding that Edwards would return with the money.
However, when Edwards failed to make the payment by January 3, 2023, Thomas and Veasy set out to find him.
After locating Edwards in Philadelphia, Thomas got out of the car and, according to Veasy’s testimony, shot Edwards.
She later testified that she had no knowledge of the gun and did not intend for harm to come to Edwards.
However, Thomas later admitted to her that the shooting was his third homicide, and he threatened her to keep quiet.
Investigations and Arrests
In the weeks following the murder, a federal informant came forward with information about Thomas’ involvement.
This led to further investigations, including the discovery of cell phone data linking both Thomas and Veasy to the crime scene.
Additionally, Thomas was found to have multiple firearms and clothing that matched the description of the shooter.
Both Thomas and Veasy were arrested, and Thomas sent letters to Veasy while in jail, attempting to intimidate her.
Veasy, fearing for her safety, ultimately cooperated with investigators and agreed to testify against him in exchange for a lesser sentence.
Plea and Future Sentencing
In court, Thomas did not deny the charges against him.
He pleaded guilty to several crimes, including third-degree murder, conspiracy, and illegal gun possession.
His sentencing is scheduled for February 2024, marking a dramatic and unfortunate shift in his life from wrongful imprisonment to a guilty plea in a new crime.
What happens next will likely be influenced by Thomas’ past, his role in the community, and the consequences of his actions in this tragic case.
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