In December 2022, Alton Oliver shot and killed off-duty Fulton County Deputy James Thomas after Thomas approached him three times in an unmarked vehicle early in the morning. Oliver testified that Thomas made sexual advances that he rejected and that he feared for his safety when he fired into Thomas's vehicle. Prosecutors charged Oliver with murder and related offenses. The jury acquitted Oliver on all six counts, including murder, aggravated assault, criminal damage, and felony firearm possession. During verdict reading, Judge Henry M. Newkirk initially omitted the word 'not,' reading a guilty verdict before jurors corrected him and the judge announced the not guilty verdict.
In December 2022, Oliver was walking down the street in the early morning when Thomas approached him in an unmarked vehicle three separate times, according to the evidence in the case. Oliver testified that Thomas made sexual advances toward him, which Oliver rejected. Upon being approached a third time, Oliver shot into Thomas's vehicle, killing him. Oliver, who said he had feared for his safety, then fled the scene. Prosecutors insisted that his actions constituted murder.
The jury sided with Oliver, but when it was time to read the verdict, Judge Henry M. Newkirk omitted a crucial word. The verdict, Newkirk began. We, the jury, find the defendant guilty as to all six counts with the bill of indictment. Sheriff, will you please hand this to State's counsel and pass it over to The judge was suddenly interrupted by several voices, presumably members of the jury, since they knew the verdict they had just delivered. Wait, what? one person said.
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