Plea deal cancels court date for Thomas

Eric A. Thomas, 25, of Sweet Springs, pleaded guilty in Associate Court Wednesday, May 27, before Judge James T. "Tut" Bellamy, to one count of class A misdemeanor domestic assault in the 3rd degree and one count of class A misdemeanor resisting arrest.

Thomas was sentenced to two years of court-supervised probation on the assault charge and 10 days incarceration at Saline County Justice Facility on the charge of resisting arrest, to begin immediately. A jury trial that had been scheduled for June 15 was cancelled. Special conditions regarding contact with the victim were also attached to the plea agreement.

At an earlier court date, Thomas' attorney, James Rahm, questioned one of the conditions of probation, which led to a disagreement between Rahm and Bellamy about what constituted "no contact."

At Rahm's insistence and his client's agreement, Bellamy then scheduled the case for a jury trial.

Wednesday's court appearance was not entirely smooth sailing. When Rahm asked for a definition of "no unlawful contact" with the assault victim, Saline County Prosecuting Attorney Donald G. Stouffer said, "He shouldn't run her off the road, grab her by the arms and drag her out of the car, or beat her," listing several of the allegations in the original complaint.

Contact Kathy Fairchild at marshallhealth@socket.net.

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