Preliminary exam Tuesday for man charged in armed robbery
A 23-year-old Ypsilanti man is due in court next week on charges that he was involved in the severe beating of a 53-year-old Ypsilanti man, who lost vision in his right eye after being shot with a pellet gun.
Antonio Frank Thomas
Courtesy of the WCSO
Antonio Frank Thomas faces charges of armed robbery, assault with intent to rob while armed, assault with intent to murder, assault with intent to do bodily harm less than murder and assault with a dangerous weapon for the Aug. 12 incident. According to police, Thomas was one of several men who went through the man’s pockets and shot him in the face with a pellet gun.
Police responded at 9:15 p.m. Aug. 12 to Jefferson and Brooks streets after being notified of a man being beaten by multiple men.
Thomas was arrested following the incident and a warrant was issued for his arrest on Aug. 15. If convicted, he faces a maximum of life in prison. He’s due back in court for a preliminary exam at 8:30 a.m. Aug. 28.
Thomas currently is lodged at the Washtenaw County Jail and is being held on a $150,000 cash or surety bond, according to jail records. He also has a $500 bond for driving with a suspended license, records show.
Police said last week they also had identified other men involved in the incident, but so far no charges have been filed against anyone else.
The suspects were known to the victim and it’s still not clear what started the melee.
Doctors have told the man he will have permanent vision loss in his right eye due to his injuries. Nothing was reported taken from the man.
Kyle Feldscher covers cops and courts for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at kylefeldscher@annarbor.com or you can follow him on Twitter.
Comments
Kyle Feldscher
Wed, Aug 29, 2012 : 6:15 p.m.
A typo in this story has been fixed.
Sammuel Roberts
Tue, Aug 28, 2012 : 4:58 p.m.
More injury from idiots using airsoft guns the wrong way. Those pellets hurt when shot in the eye. I use glasses from here when i play http://www.airsplat.com/Categories/MASK-HELMET.htm
Goodphotographer
Tue, Aug 28, 2012 : 4:47 a.m.
@Kyle; "Doctors have told the man he ...." 'will going'?
shepard145
Mon, Aug 27, 2012 : 4:26 p.m.
That is not going to look good on his resume.
Tru2Blu76
Mon, Aug 27, 2012 : 2:57 p.m.
rjpager has nailed this one with his comment. Not only do we perceive a lack of respect for humans and human life in a certain local district, there seems to be a real ignorance of the law which forbids such attacks as described. I also agree that the measures taken by the court so far seem lenient. Lets also highlight the victim's (any victim's ) rights in such cases: we are specifically given the inalienable right to defend ourselves against such attacks. But if we don't provide - or are unable to provide - ourselves with the means to defend ourselves, then that inalienable right is forfeited (or just unavailable ) since we cannot depend on anyone but ourselves for such defense. Some may disagree: but I'm only reiterating the repeated advice of legal experts in the area of self defense. I regret that the area of self defense has become an ideological battle ground but I didn't start that battle, either. My sympathy still lies with the victims in such cases - including this one. I see no evidence that the injured man neglected to provide for his own physical defense, he may not have been able to do so. He'll now have to depend on law enforcement and the court to punish the alleged perpetrators. A sad and unfortunate situation for him. I hope he gets the maximum possible compensation for his loss of sight.
rjpager
Sun, Aug 26, 2012 : 6:54 p.m.
Why is it a young punk like this can not only attack a elderly person with a few friends to help him which is bullcrap in itself but then shoot him and cause him to be blind . This guy really has a bond kind of a low bond for the charges isn't it . I am just shocked at how these young men under 25 years of age from Ypsilanti just have such a disrespect for humans and life. I can't seem to understand how so many want to kill a person for a few dollars a phone or just to think they are tuff . Let's say this if you are under 25 and you still can't fight by yourselves, and have to use a weapon on someone twice your age . Well I know what I call you and from other comments sounds like he even like to work out so sounds like he was in good shape I just don't get it why have help and a weapon to try to kill someone twice your age
HB11
Mon, Aug 27, 2012 : 11:26 a.m.
While I agree with your sentiment, 53 is hardly elderly.
jjc155
Sun, Aug 26, 2012 : 7:07 p.m.
just to play devils advocate but whether the bond is $1 or $1million, if he cant come up with it does it matter what the bond is. J-
Ben Petiprin
Sun, Aug 26, 2012 : 6:05 p.m.
Had a gym class with this guy. Seemed pretty level headed at the time.