ANTIGUA: ‘BIG FOOT’ FOUND GUILTY

An emotionless and unapologetic Police Corporal Alexis “Big Foot” Thomas was yesterday found guilty of assault with intent to rob, after a 12-member jury spent two hours reviewing the evidence presented at his trial this week.

The decision against the officer of 19 years, who suggested that he was set up by his colleagues who investigated the Paradise Casino July 22, 2014 incident, was unanimous.

Justice Albert Redhead, who thanked the jurors and Crown Counsel Adlai Smith for their thorough work, set the officer’s sentencing hearing for September 22.

Thomas, who was on bail since last October, was carted off to prison on remand, where he will remain until that date.

In the meantime, the Probation Department is mandated to investigate his life and present the court with a Social Inquiry Report by September 18 to help guide the judge’s decision on the sentence.

The maximum sentence which the court could impose for the crime is 25 years.

Earlier this week, the court heard testimony from one of the convict’s colleagues, Henry Dick who said he shot Thomas as he was about to grab the bag with the money he had demanded from the casino’s cashier.

The cashier said there was over $45,000 in the bag.

According to Constable Dick, even though the intruder was wearing a long sleeved hoodie and his face was covered, he was sure that it was Corporal Thomas.

The constable told the jury he was very familiar with Thomas as they were like brothers who not only trained together when they joined the Force in 1995, but they worked at the Casino where they provided security.

He said that’s why he initially thought the attack was a joke when he recognised the voice and body structure, even though Thomas was armed with a weapon.

The officer said when the intruder started demanding money and took aim with his weapon, he realised it was serious.

“He said ‘hand over all the cash.’ When he said ‘hand over the cash’ I positioned myself in a southwesterly direction to prevent the intruder from seeing I had drawn my weapon. The intruder was advancing towards the cashier’s booth. When the gun was pointed at me I was fearful for my life,” Constable Dick said.

He said casino worker Jahmol Reynolds went to the safe to get the cash and after he placed it on a chair near the door, Thomas turned to pick it up.