Judge reads verdict as guilty, corrects to not guilty in trial for killing of Fulton County deputy

ATLANTA — Alton Oliver was found not guilty in connection with the killing of Fulton County Deputy James Thomas, 24, in December 2022.

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But the verdict didn’t come without drama.

Judge Henry Newkirk at first said Oliver was found guilty, to the surprise of the jury at Fulton County Superior Court. He then corrected himself and said he was not guilty of all counts.

Oliver was accused of shooting and killing Thomas while he was off duty and in his personal car near the intersection of Bolton Road and Peyton Road.

At the time of Thomas’ death, Fulton County Sheriff Pat Labat said Thomas had been with the sheriff’s office for less than a year and was part of the Grady Detention Unit.

The incident occurred at the intersection of Bolton and Peyton Roads, where Thomas was found shot and killed in his personal car.

During the trial, Oliver claimed self-defense, alleging that Thomas solicited him for sex. Thomas was off duty at the time of the shooting.

Following a four-day search after the incident, detectives arrested Oliver.

During the trial, Oliver testified that he was walking home when Thomas drove up beside him three times, leading to the alleged solicitation and subsequent shooting.

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