Home Contra Costa County Woman Convicted in Murder of Sister Hangs Herself at West County Detention Facility

Woman Convicted in Murder of Sister Hangs Herself at West County Detention Facility

by ECT

The Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff reports that at approximately 2:48 Monday morning, a Deputy Sheriff conducting a routine room check at the West County Detention Facility noticed an inmate hanging from the top bunk with a bed sheet around her neck.

The Deputy immediately called for medical assistance and with help from another Deputy moved the inmate to the ground. Both Deputies performed CPR until medical personnel arrived. An ambulance and the fire department responded. The inmate was pronounced deceased at the scene.

The inmate is identified as 74-year-old Linda Thomas of Washington. She was recently convicted of first degree murder.

The officer-involved protocol was initiated. Investigators from the Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff and the District Attorney’s Office are conducting an investigation into the death.


For background Info… this was released by the DA’s office on May 24, 2018:

Rodeo: Defendant Linda Thomas Found Guilty for Murdering Her Sister Zonna

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

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2 comments

Melanie Jun 4, 2018 - 11:17 am

Wow.

Perfect Jun 4, 2018 - 3:13 pm

Thanks

Comments are closed.