Russell Thomas, Vicksburg Man Who Killed His Mother, Denied Early Release

VICKSBURG, MS – A Vicksburg man who killed his mother was denied a compassionate release on Friday morning by Judge James Chaney. Russell Thomas was seeking parole due to medical conditions and his advanced age. He has been incarcerated for the last 29 years.

Thomas was sentenced to life in prison in 1995 for killing his 74-year-old mother, Veulette Thomas. His mother suffered from multiple gunshot wounds, including to the body and the head. Her body was found at their family business.

During the hearing, Thomas had two people testify on his behalf, both with religious backgrounds, mentioning that they believed he was a changed man.

District Attorney Ricky Smith represented the state where he petitioned that Russell should spend the rest of his life in prison. Smith gave details of the crime as he testified that in 1994, Russell Thomas shot his mother directly in the face four times and she was shot a total of six times. He then threw the gun off a bridge and went and ate at the Waffle House directly afterward.

Thomas eventually led authorities on a wild goose chase until ultimately confessing on August 10.