Jury returns split verdict at Somerset County DA’s trial

Thomas found guilty on 6 of 9 charges

SOMERSET, Pa. — Somerset District Attorney Jeffrey Thomas was found guilty Tuesday on multiple charges against him in a sexual assault trial. But he was found not guilty on the most serious charges he faced.

A Somerset County jury deliberated for 2½ hours before finding Thomas guilty of strangulation with sexual violence, criminal trespass, unlawful restraint, indecent assault, false imprisonment and one simple assault count.

The jury found Thomas, 37, not guilty of sexual assault, aggravated indecent assault and a second simple assault count.

Moments later, Cambria County Senior Judge Timothy Creany revoked Thomas’ bond, and he was led out of the Somerset County Courthouse by sheriff’s deputies.

Thomas’ attorneys have already said they will appeal.

His sentencing is tentatively scheduled for May 16, and Judge Creany remanded Thomas to Somerset

County Jail until that date.

The jury began deliberating Thursday afternoon, after closing arguments.

The accuser said Thomas punched her in the face and choked her at least twice during an unwanted sexual and physical assault on the evening of Sept. 18, 2021.

Dr. Bruce MacLeod, an expert in trauma and bruising, testified Thursday morning. He rebutted what the defense’s expert witness, Allegheny County forensic pathologist Dr. Cyril Wecht, had said on the stand.

Dr. Wecht testified the bruises around the accuser’s eye and her neck were too superficial to have been made by being punched and choked. Dr. MacLeod said he believed the bruises could have come from being struck and strangled.

The woman testified that she received the bruises from Thomas the night of the incident.

The defense put several witnesses on the stand who testified that Thomas had a good reputation and was a strong advocate for getting illegal drugs off the streets of Somerset County.

The accuser testified at the trial; Thomas did not.