An Evangeline Parish Jury Trial which began Monday, September 30,2013 ended Thursday afternoon with Isaac Thomas Jr., age 25 of Ville Platte found guilty of Armed Robbery, Attempted Manslaughter and Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon.

     The prosecution presented evidence which included testimony and physical evidence. Significant evidence presented at trial included the video surveillance of the crime as it was being committed. Part of the cash register from the crime scene as well as the white “hockey” mask the defendant was wearing at the time of the robbery was  found along the getaway route. Acadiana Crime Lab matched DNA from the white “hockey” mask to the defendant, Thomas. Testimony from two co-defendants, Jordan Harris and Johnaton  Antoine, also corroborated the State’s theory of the case. (Harris is represented by Alex Chapman and Antoine is represented by Alicia Phillips-Kelly, their trials are still pending.)

     The case involved the armed robbery of a local business near the Kennedy Subdivision during which shots were fired in the direction of two employees of Angel Food Store 2.

     Sentencing of the defendant is scheduled for February 20, 2014 before Trial Judge Thomas Fuselier. Isaac Thomas is facing ninety-nine (99) years on the Armed Robbery conviction, twenty (20) years on the Attempted Manslaughter, and another twenty (20) years for Felony Possession of a Firearm, for a total maximum sentence of one-hundred thirty nine (139) years.

   District Attorney Trent Brignac commended  the efforts of lead prosecutor, Marcus Fontenot and Timmy Fontenot who assisted, as well as his staff for their support during the trial. Brignac also extends his thanks to all the jurors selected, as well as all the other prospective jurors for their time and effort. Finally Brignac expresses his appreciation for the time and effort put forth by the Evangeline Parish Sheriff’s Office in this investigation.