TETHINE THOMAS FACES 25 YEARS IN PRISON FOR SHOOTING OF BOBBY WELCH

DEFENDANT FOUND GUILTY IN 1999 DEATH OF 14-YEAR-OLD

Atlanta—Fulton County District Attorney Paul L. Howard, Jr. (Atlanta Judicial Circuit) announces that Tethine Thomas (23) has been found guilty of voluntary manslaughter, aggravated assault, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime for the 10 January 1999 shooting death of Bobby Welch (14). Thomas and the victim had been engaged in an argument previously on the day of the incident. The defendant encountered the victim again later that day at 552 Parkway Drive in northeast Atlanta, and, when the argument renewed, he produced a gun and shot the victim once in the head.

Thomas will be sentenced at a later date and faces up to 25 years in prison.

Senior Assistant District Attorney Charles Webb prosecuted the case; Atlanta Police Detective M. Walker investigated; and Judge Stephanie Manis presided.

CONTACT: Erik Friedly, 404-224-0560 (office); 404-533-1381 (pager)