According to Early Chief of Police David Mercer, John Peter Smith Hospital Police arrested Nelson Thomas on Early PD charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and assault family violence by impeding breathing and circulation on Monday, December 4, 2013. JPS Police arrested Nelson when he was released from the hospital after receiving treatment from a gunshot wound to the abdomen on October 22, 2013 during a family violence incident on Crescent Drive in Early.
During the incident, Thomas was airlifted from the scene after being shot at approximately 5:30 p.m.
Nelson Thomas had been separated from his wife Mica Thomas for several years but had stayed at the house for a couple of days due to not having anywhere to stay the night explained Mercer.
Mercer released the following details of the incident:
“When Mica Thomas returned home from work, Nelson Thomas immediately began assaulting her by striking her in the head, stomach and around her body with his fist. Thomas then grabbed her by the neck and drug her down the hall to the bedroom where he pulled a gun from the closet and stated he was going to kill her and himself. Nelson Thomas also broke Mica Thomas’s cell phone to stop her from calling 911. While they were struggling and she was attempting to talk him down, Nelson began to pull the gun out of a bag and point in her direction. Mica Thomas then grabbed a loaded single shot shotgun sitting in the closet next to her and pointed it in Nelson Thomas’s direction and pulled the trigger striking Nelson in the stomach. Mica Thomas then ran from the house to the neighbors to call for help.When officers arrived, Nelson had stumbled to the front porch where he collapsed. Mica Thomas was also transported to the Brownwood Regional emergency room for injuries she received during the assault. Mica received multiple bruises and abrasions and injuries to her ribs and neck during the assault.”
Early Police Department and Texas Rangers processed the crime scene and after many interviews and examining the evidence presented the case to District Attorney Micheal Murray, according to Mercer. Justice of the Peace Precinct 4 Jim Cavanaugh issued 2 warrants, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and assault family violence by occlusion.
Thomas is currently held in the Brown County Jail in lieu of bonds set by Cavanaugh totaling $200,000.
