Martinez, Calif. – On Monday, a Contra Costa County jury found defendant Linda Thomas of Clinton, Washington guilty of murdering her sister Zonna Thomas on October 17, 2015 with a firearm. After the defendant murdered her sister, she attempted to murder Zonna’s husband Donald. In total, the jury issued guilty verdicts on all five felony counts against Thomas.
Deputy District Attorney Rachel Piersig prosecuted the case on behalf of the People. The jury trial lasted 15 days before the Honorable John Kennedy. Sentencing for the defendant will occur on July 27, at 9:00 a.m. The defendant is facing a possible state prison sentence of life without the possibility of parole.
DDA Piersig stated: “Linda Thomas planned this as a double murder-suicide and carefully waited for the perfect opportunity to kill Zonna in her home the night of the murder. We are thankful that justice is achieved with this verdict. I hope this brings some semblance of closure to the victims involved in the case, especially Zonna’s husband Donald.”
On October 16, 2015, the defendant traveled from the state of Washington to visit her sister in Rodeo, presumably for the weekend. The day after her arrival, Thomas used a firearm to shoot Zonna in the head, killing Zonna in the kitchen. After hearing the shot, Donald ran to the kitchen to see what transpired.
The defendant then pointed the firearm at Donald, who was able to grab hold of the defendant’s hand and pointed the barrel of the gun away from him. A struggle ensued between the defendant and Donald over the gun for 10 to 15 minutes. During the struggle, Donald was able to call 911, and the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office arrived on scene.
The defendant brought with her that weekend a change of clothes, pills, ice tea laced with vodka, packing tape, syringes, zip ties, a flashlight, an exacto knife, and a chain. In addition, the defendant also reportedly paid for her own obituary with a local news publication on Whidbey Island before she traveled to Rodeo.
The complete listing of counts and enhancements are as follows:
- Count 1, Murder PC 187(a), Victim Zonna Thomas
- Enhancement 1, Intentional Discharge of a Firearm Causing Great Bodily Injury
- Enhancement 2, Murder by Lying in Wait
- Enhancement 3, Felony Murder – Burglary
- Count 2, First Degree Residential Burglary
- Enhancement 1, Use of Firearm
- Count 3, Elder Abuse, Resulting Death
- Enhancement 1, Use of Firearm
- Count 4, Attempted Murder
- Enhancement 1, Personal Use of a Firearm
- Count 5, Elder Abuse
- Enhancement 1, Use of Firearm
Case information: People v. Linda June Thomas, Docket Number 05-161188-8
1 comment
She was planning a double murder-suicide? Wow.
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