Mothers Against Unethical Laws (MAUL)

It’s been over 2 1/2 years since Leon County Sheriff’s Detectives were called to a townhouse in NW Tallahassee, Florida regarding a double homicide. On the morning of January 27, 2011 the bodies of pregnant 20-year-old single mother, Laqecia Herring & her 17-year-old brother, Sterling Conner Jr. who was diagnosed as bipolar were found by their mother, 16-year-old brother & their mother’s girlfriend (significant other). Despite the victims’ family members providing Det. with a laundry list of possible suspects (their residence was recently burglarized; both victims was in debited to others of $350 to $400; the male victim recently purchased drugs w/fake money) LCSO Det. chose to ignore those leads and create their own theory. Their theory–focus on a 17-year-old black male child by the name of DeShon Thomas. DeShon was in his freshman year at Tallahassee Community College & working over 35 hours a week part-time at a fast-food restaurant.
DeShon & Laqecia had dated for about 6 to 8 weeks. In late Sept. 2010 (shortly after DeShon’s 17th Bday) DeShon & his mother got into an argument; DeShon moved in w/Laqecia. DeShon & Laqecia had only been dating for 2 weeks. When DeShon’s mother found out that he was living with Laqecia, she drove to Laqecia’s residence to force him to come home. When he wouldn’t come on his own, she called LCSO, a deputy arrived. To DeShon’s mother’s disappointment, the deputy thought the situation was comical. Instead of coming as a mature adult LEO, he came as a high school-boyish LEO. He seemed to think that it was cute for a 17yo boy to be with a 19yo young woman, who was already the mother of a toddler. The deputy told DeShon’s mother that there was nothing that he could do since DeShon was over the age of 16. In less than 6 weeks, DeShon was back home. Like most teenage boys—it didn’t take long for the flame to go out. However, Laqecia told DeShon that she was pregnant & he was the father. (After the murders, DeShon’s mother learned that the residence was not Laqecia’s residence—it was her mother’s residence. Learning this was very disappointing to DeShon’s mother; thinking back she could’ve spoken with Laqecia’s mother and possibly prevented her son from moving in).
We would all love to trust LEO. Sadly, we cannot. DeShon Thomas is now 19-years-old. When LCSO Det. realized that there was just no way they could win a double murder trial against DeShon, they put a 30-year-old male inmate, who had been charged w/bank robbery, in his path & concocted a way to charge DeShon w/solicitation to commit murder. This charge came simultaneous to DeShon’s mother firing his private attorney, Greg Cummings, who seemed to be just too cozy with State Prosecutor, Jack Campbell—who by the way is the son of Leon County Sheriff Larry Campbell. The Campbell’s—the father & son duo—are both fully in charge of the investigation & the prosecution of DeShon. DeShon’s mother has been advocating for her son since she voluntarily took him to the LCSO after he came home and told her that he felt like he was under police surveillance (DeShon’s mother would later learn hours after the bodies were found, LCSO Det. obtained a court order to have DeShon’s cell phone GPS tracked via his cell phone carrier—when Det. located him as he was a backseat passenger in a car w/friends, among other things—Det. took photos of his shoes—in the end he was free to go. If Det. had made contact with DeShon’s mother—they could’ve saved taxpayers money, judge’s time, etc.).
The 2nd lead det. Don Odham was fired; $30k paid to criminal defense attorney Greg Cummings who never so much as filed a defense witness list; about 4 court-appointed attorney; 6 days ago a new judge was assigned to DeShon’s case—trial date set for October 14, 2013. All in all, DeShon has been charged with cultivation of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, two counts of 1st Degree Murder, and solicitation to commit 1st Degree Murder—he has pled not guilty. DeShon is Innocent! In the cultivation of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and two counts of 1st Degree Murder—there are no sworn witness statements, there is no physical evidence, no material evidence, and no circumstantial linking him to the crimes. Nothing! The evidence that can exonerate DeShon is being kept under Sealed court order, his cell phone records were immediately Sealed by the State Attorney’s Office. Also, the victims’ autopsy reports have not been made public record—the State Attorney’s Office will not allow the Medical Examiner’s Office to release any information about the victims. DeShon & his mother want to know the victims’ time of death.
The solicitation to commit murder was an inside the jail plan, with Det. saying that DeShon solicited a “Hit man.” DeShon had been in jail for over a year & half when this charge came about. DeShon had no money to pay a hit man—let alone know the whereabouts of the person (witness) to whom Det. say DeShon ordered the hit on. DeShon pled not guilty to the charge. As punishment for his mother firing his private attorney (solicitation so they say), DeShon has been in solitary confinement for nearly 10 months where he is unable to call home and he cannot have visitors. All of DeShon & his mother’s special request for visitation have been ignored.
Although DeShon & Laqecia had ended their relationship, they remained friends. There was no animosity between them. When Laqecia & her brother, Sterling were found murdered, Laqecia & DeShon had been broken up for about 3 months. Laqecia had gotten back with her on again off again boyfriend, who he told Det. that Laqecia told him that he was the father of her unborn baby.
Laqecia’s family members did not name DeShon as a suspect– so why did detectives focus all of their attention on DeShon? DeShon did not have a history of violence—so what is the problem?
This question remains today. Whenever a black male child is involved with law enforcement and the family hollers “Foul”—people on the outside always asks—why? Why—would experienced law enforcement agents lie? Why would they want to falsely accuse a child—set them up?
This question is being asked in Valdosta, GA in the investigation of a 17-year-old black male child by the name of Kendrick Johnson. The community is asking, why would the sheriff’s office and the GBI cover up what happened to Kendrick Johnson? What is the problem?
A question being asked by the community to news media outlets about another 17-year-old black male child by the name of Trayvon Martin is– why are they (the media) using old pictures of Trayvon Martin? Why are they trying to portray Trayvon as a much younger child? Why are they not showing more recent pictures? What is the problem?
The problem is—law enforcement officers LIE and the State Attorney’s Office will support their local LEO. That’s the problem.
In the Kendrick Johnson case, the FBI has come in to investigate. In Trayvon Martin’s case, a special prosecutor (outsider) had to come in to prosecute the case.
In an attempt to promote their lies, State Attorney Willie Meggs and Chief State Attorney Georgia Cappleman ignored FBI and FDLE lab reports. Assistant State Attorney Eric Trombley input his lies to have DeShon charged as an adult in the cultivation of marijuana charges. LCSO continue to LIE. On the Leon County Sheriff’s Office website, they have DeShon Thomas’ mug shot from when he was 17-years-old; they have his age listed as 20 years-old. DeShon is 19-years-old. DeShon has since cut his hair and goatee—in which he now actually looks younger than 19-years-old. However, Sheriff Larry Campbell & his son, State Prosecutor Jack Campbell are desperate. Deception seems to be in their blood.
DeShon & his mother continue to pray for fair and equal justice.

If The Florida Bar is going to be selective about what attorneys can be disciplined for violating the Rules of Professional Conduct then they should at least provide a specific list of those attorneys on their website. DeShon Thomas’ mother would have probably never known that she and her son had a complaint against Criminal Defense Attorney Greg Cummings had other attorneys not been disciplined by The Florida Bar for violating the same Rules of Professional Conduct. According to The Florida Bar website, Carissa Chambers and DeShon Thomas have valid complaints against Greg Cummings. Greg Cummings must be on The Florida (Candy) Bar list. Greg Cummings stole “Candy” from a baby! And The Florida Bar supports his In-actions. How pathetic is that?

Please see Florida Bar Complaints tab above.

May 6, 2013

Governor Rick Scott
400 South Monroe Street
Tallahassee, FL 32301

Dear Govenor Scott:

Must my son become mentally insane or die before my cries are heard? This is my third request asking and begging you to appoint a special prosecutor to my son’s case. Listen, please, my son, DeShon Rashard Thomas, is not a MURDERER!

On January 27, 2011, Leon County Sheriff’s detectives failed to properly investigate the murders of my son’s 20-year-old pregnant ex-girlfriend, Laqecia Herring and her bipolar 17-year-old brother, Sterling Conner Jr. The two victims were discovered deceased in their mother’s townhome by their mother, 16-year old brother and their mother’s girlfriend (significant other).

My son was charged with the murders on February 7, 2011. Since his arrest, he has had several attorneys on his case—one private attorney, Greg Cummings, to whom I paid $29560. And the others have all been court appointed attorneys either out of the Public Defender’s Office or the Criminal Conflict and Regional Counsel’s Office.

In August 2012, I advised my son to fire Cummings for basically failing to present a defense. From there my son’s case was sent to the Public Defender’s Office. The Public Defender’s Office immediately filed a motion to withdraw from the case. At first, Judge Hankinson denied their motion. Judge Hankinson then granted them relief and assigned his case to CCRCO. The CCRCO attorney assigned to the case in September 2012 was Samuel Olmstead. (Note: I often went to the courthouse to look in my son’s file—in doing so, I came across a signed court order where on March 8, 2011 Samuel Olmstead was relieved of all further representation of my son. However, Samuel Olmstead’s name does not appear on my son’s Court Docket for Case Process.) Finding this information that was unknown to my son and me, I attempted to make contact with Mr. Olmstead to question him as to why did Judge Hankinson re-assign him the case. My son and I never got the opportunity to ask that of Mr. Olmstead. After four months of absolutely nothing being communicated to my son about his case, as well as nothing being filed, investigated, etc., my son filed for Pro Se.

On February 19, 2013, my son, who is now 19-years-old, was standing in front of Judge Hankinson asking the court to allow him to represent himself (Pro Se). My son mailed requests to Mr. Olmstead and Cummings asking to send him a copy of his file. Both requests went completely ignored. Although Mr. Olmstead was supposed to appear in court with my son during the hearing to address his Pro Se filing, he was not there. Court was delayed. When a stand in attorney showed up, the stand in attorney announced that Mr. Olmstead was resigning from the CCRCO, effective March 1, 2013. At that time, my son learned that he would be assigned a new CCRCO attorney. My son had a scheduled trial date for April 22, 2013, so my son was looking forward to meeting with his new attorney with the hopes that his new attorney would either file Habeas Corpus on his behalf, file to have all charge dismissed or be prepared for his upcoming trial. At the conclusion of the hearing, my son chose to withdraw his Pro Se filing. Therefore, showing that even after not being shown one shred of evidence and not having read one sworn statement incriminating him—something to show cause as to his 24 months of incarceration, my son had hope that his new CCRCO attorney will work in his favor.

On or about March 3, 2013, my son cited supportive facts in a Petition for Habeas Corpus and asked the CCRCO to file it on his behalf. The Habeas Corpus Petition was not discussed with him or filed for him by his new CCRCO attorney, Daren Shippy, who is one of the supervisors at the CCRCO.

On March 20, 2013, CCRCO Attorney Daren Shippy, filed a motion asking Judge Hankinson to relieve his office from the case. Mr. Shippy’s motion was denied.

Despite evidence immediately available to exonerate my son of the murders, as well as the other charges, there’s no attorney willing to be ethical and do their due diligence by my son and present the evidence in open court. State Prosecutor Jack Campbell refuses to allow the Medical Examiner’s Office to release the victims’ autopsy reports—citing “on-going investigation.” However, there are no public announcements indicating that the Leon County Sheriff’s Office is looking for an accomplice.

Although Det. Don Odham reported that my son’s co-worker/ roommate, Trentin Ross stated that he drove my son to the victims’ residence and basically witnessed the murders from a distance—there is no indication that Mr. Ross is a potential suspect, accessory to the murders or anything to the contrary. Furthermore, Det. Odham was the 2^nd lead detective on the case. When Det. Odham became lead detective on the case, other detectives had already concluded their investigations without weight to give cause as to my son being the murderer. The 1^st lead detective, Det. McBride, has contradicting reports to that of Det. Odham. Det. McBride’s report basically states that Det. Odham is a LIAR! It has been said that Det. Odham was a Reserve Deputy who was not qualified to be a lead detective over any case, let alone a double homicide investigation. It was brought to my attention that it was Det. Odham’s wife, who is vice-president at BB&T Bank, as to why Det. Odham was assigned to be lead detective over Det. McBride. Det. McBride has been with Leon County Sheriff’s Office for about 17 years, they said she is clearly more qualified for the job. My son and I were not informed about Det. Odham’s firing (being relieved) from the Leon County Sheriff’s Office. Turns out, a few months after my son’s arrest, Det. Odham was involved in criminal activity in Alabama, where he tried to elude the police.

I have been constantly providing proof that the judicial system is taking advantage of my son’s lack of knowledge of his rights. My son has been in solitary confinement for about 9 months. He cannot make phone calls nor have visitors. I’m sure when jail officials imposed this punishment on my son they were hoping to prevent me from informing my son of his rights, but that didn’t happen. Judge Hankinson is not protecting my son’s Constitutional Rights. As a matter of fact, before I took my life’s savings and gave it to Defense Attorney Greg Cummings, a private attorney who is also registered with the CCRCO, my son and I had been constantly calling the Leon County Clerk of Court and the CCRCO’s office to get the name of my son’s court appointed attorney. Every time we called, both offices told us that my son had not been assigned an attorney. What I later learned, was that several of Judge Hankinson’s signed court orders assigning my son court appointed attorneys had been withheld from the Clerk of Court–therefore, being withheld from my son. Had my son and I had access to a court appointed attorney before retaining Cummings, we may have never retained Cummings.

I strongly believed that withholding the orders from the Clerk of Court was an intentional internal act of deception. I strongly believe this because on or about February 15, 2011, during the initial meeting with Cummings, I concluded the meeting by telling him that I was going to wait to speak with my son’s court appointed attorney before retaining a private attorney. Now that I know that Cummings has had unethical communications with State Prosecutor Jack Campbell, the Leon County jail staff, Judge Hankinson and his direct connection to the CCRCO—yes, I strongly believe that shielding my son from finding out about his court appointed attorney, was all an inside sinister act. If you go back and read the first letter that I mailed to your office, I clearly state that my son was in jail for over a month without an attorney— the reason why I say that is because the Clerk of Court, my son and I did not know that the name of his court appointed attorney.

On March 12, 2011, with pen in hand—right before I signed a contract for service with Cummings, I asked to get my son’s cell phone records Unsealed, provide us (my son) with the autopsy report (specifically time of death) and get a sworn deposition from my son’s co-worker/ roommate 21-year-old Trentin Ross. Trentin Ross’ sworn deposition was crucial because within the days leading up to my son being charged with the murders, while my son and I was at Mr. Ross’ apartment retrieving what was left by Leon County Sheriff’s detectives of my son’s belongings, there were about six Leon County Sheriff’s detectives present. They were pressuring and aggressively harassing Mr. Ross to say something incriminating about my son. So really when I learned that statements supposedly made by Mr. Ross was what gave weight for Det. Odham to prepare probable cause to have my son charged with the murders, my son and I were not surprised. Also, since we had already had a bad encounter with Det. Odham, who immediately proved to my son and I to be racist, my son and I discredited any and everything out of his mouth. I stressed to Cummings the importance to get those pieces of evidence—they could definitely exonerate my son.

According to Cummings, he attempted to take Mr. Ross’ deposition at least 3 or 4 times. Every time Mr. Ross made himself Unavailable. Cummings emailed me basically stating that Mr. Ross, who had moved back to his hometown of Daytona Beach in October 2011 and did not want to come to Tallahassee to give a deposition because he did not have transportation to get there. Even after Cummings offered to reimburse his travel expenses, pay for him a Greyhound bus ticket, etc. Mr. Ross still refused to come. In an email dated July 18, 2012, Cummings states that Mr. Ross’ attorney, Paul Srygley, who lives in Tallahassee, refused to travel to Daytona Beach for a deposition because it would take an entire day and he will not get paid for the trip. Cummings also states that State Prosecutor Jack Campbell was going to go to Daytona Beach to get Mr. Ross’ parents to convince Mr. Ross to come to Tallahassee. Meanwhile, my son, who is innocent, just sits in jail until Mr. Ross is available to give a deposition. That makes absolutely no sense at all!

Cummings was fired because of severe lack of communication and failure to comply with his contract. Cummings promised to provide my son with all information in regards to his case, as well as to get my son’s cell phone records Unsealed—he did not do any of that. As you read this letter, do you, yourself not find it odd that after over two years of my son being in jail that my son and I do not know for sure if 2^nd lead Det. Odham, was a Reserve Deputy or a full-time deputy. Det. Odham was the detective who got State Prosecutor Jack Campbell to sign the probable cause for the murders. Det. Odham is a wealthy friend of the Campbell Family; and by all accounts is a huge liar. In my son’s case, creditability matters—while State Prosecutor Jack Campbell and Leon County Sheriff’s detectives have plenty of reasons to lie, my son has no reason to lie.

Simultaneous to firing Cummings from my son’s case, Leon County Sheriff’s detectives charged my son with solicitation to commit murder—with the target being none other than the witness whose own attorney doesn’t want to travel to participate in the deposition of–my son’s former co-worker/ roommate and  State Prosecutor Jack Campbell’s supposed “key witness,” Trentin Ross. Judge Hankinson signed off on the probable cause for solicitation to commit murder the same day Cummings filed his motion to withdraw from my son’s case.  Therefore, my son believes that Judge Hankinson has predetermined that he is guilty—which is not surprising considering the fact that Judge Hankinson has not been protecting his rights in all of this time. Judge Hankinson has to know that by denying CCRCO relief from my son’s case, automatically puts my son in a position to be granted a new trial citing ineffective counsel, if for whatever reason he were to be found guilty—which I highly doubt it goes to trial.

In January 2013, Leon County issued a warrant for Trentin Ross’ arrest for failing to appear at his case management hearing for cultivation of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. Up until my son fired Cummings, the court showed Mr. Ross high favor. On the same day that Det. Odham states that Mr. Ross voluntarily gave incriminating statements that led to my son’s arrest (2/4/11), there was an Oral Motion filed in court relieving Mr. Ross of all Pre-trial costs, including the cost of Urine Analysis.

This case process has become such a disgrace to justice. As I type this letter, my son does not have a trial date on the books. I don’t have much money, but every attorney that I’ve spoken with has told me that due to the fact that my son’s case is “old” and “nothing” has been done, their fee to take his case will be significantly higher than they would have been had I come to them back in 2011.

My son and I have filed complaints with The Florida Bar as to how Cummings mishandled his case. Despite Cummings having violated numerous codes within the Code of Professional Misconduct, The Florida Bar found no violations. Yet, when I discussed my son’s case with staff at the FDLE and the executive and other staff members at the Florida Innocence Project, they have stated their surprise by The Florida Bar’s response.

When does it end? I have significant information that will show fabrication of evidence and prosecutorial misconduct, but where can I go if no one will take the timeout to do their job—represent my son ethically. Thus far, my son and I have nowhere to turn to get his day in court. One of my close confidants told me that my son’s case reminds him of the short story, ‘A Man Without A Country.’  In my son’s case, ‘A Teenager Without A Lawyer’ (not an ethical one). No local lawyer wants to be the one to reveal the disgraceful actions of State Prosecutor Jack Campbell, Sheriff Larry Campbell and Judge Hankinson.

Take a brief moment, if you will—and think about it: State Prosecutor Jack Campbell has the daunting task to turn a huge pack of Leon County Sheriff’s detectives’ lies into truths (impossible)—to keep his dad, Sheriff Larry Campbell, and his dad’s employees from being exposed as liars and bringing their incompetence to the surface. This has to be a heavy burden for Prosecutor Jack Campbell to shoulder but it is what it is. A media source reported that Sheriff Larry Campbell was at the crime scene with his detectives shortly after they began processing the crime scene. Normally, an experienced law enforcement officer can look at a victim’s gunshot wound and be able to identify what caliber firearm was used to shoot the victim with. In this case, both victims were shot two times in the head. The Leon County Sheriff’s detectives reported the victims as having been murdered with a 9 mm. Despite having FDLE firearms laboratory reports on hand for a couple of weeks, on the same day State Attorney Georgia Cappleman obtained a grand jury indictment—she told a reporter with the Tallahassee Democrat,  in short, “the bullets used in Thomas’ 9mm pistol were consistent with the victims’ wounds.” The likelihood of her having told the grand jury the same information is significantly high. On the other hand, FDLE firearms laboratory report states that the victims were murdered with a .38 caliber firearm and that the projectiles removed from the victims’ heads are consistent with class 38 projectiles. How can this discrepancy be explained to a jury of 12? It can’t be—there’s no excuse.

So what does State Prosecutor Jack Campbell do when the investigation and his own witnesses are crooked and he can’t prove to a jury that the defendant is the murderer of two of his friends and his possible unborn child–he attempts to make the defendant a party to a plot to murder and uses the defendant’s attorney to help intimidate the defendant’s family members. With the firing of Cummings, their “wingman”, Leon County Sheriff’s detectives had to prematurely end their investigation regarding the solicitation to commit murder. The probable cause used to support that charge is just as ridiculous as the probable cause for the murders.

My son, my family, friends and respective citizens of the community strongly believe that if a special prosecutor is assigned to my son’s case, it will relieve the tension of the court appointed attorney and allow him to proceed in my son’s best interest. It’s been over 26 months since my son was arrested. My son should not have to sit in jail while State Prosecutor Jack Campbell and Leon County Sheriff’s detectives try to figure a way to get out of this MESS that they created! Last year, every time my son’s case was to go to trial, State Prosecutor Jack Campbell asked and was granted a motion to have his case continued. One of the reasons for a continuance was because fired, 2^nd lead Det. Don Odham was going on a family vacation.

All that I have stated above is just a small fraction as to why an outside party—special prosecutor—needs to intervene on my son’s case.

On July 18, 2012, you apologized to William Dillon for the 27 years of his wrongful incarceration. I can only hope and pray that you felt the deepest sympathy for him. Now ask yourself—10, 20—27 years from today is that something that you would want the Governor of Florida to be doing to my son? Apologizing for his wrongful incarceration because his mother’s cries feel on deaf ears? Please, I beg of you, to assign a special prosecutor to my son’s case. In doing so you will being doing the citizens of Tallahassee and abroad a great service.

I thank you in advance for your immediate response in regards to this matter.

Sincerely,

Ms. Carissa Chambers

A teenager who has been in the Leon County Jail for more than two years charged with cultivation of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, two counts of 1^st degree murder, possession of a firearm by a juvenile delinquent, and solicitation to commit murder—currently has no lawyer on his case.

On February 19, 2013, DeShon Thomas appeared before Judge James Hankinson for a Faretta Hearing. Thomas had decided to file Pro Se (represent himself) after having sat in jail for four months without having received a visit or discussed his case with court appointed Criminal Conflict Attorney, Samuel Olmstead. Thomas, who was a 17-year-old college student and part-time employee at the time of the murders, was informed by his mother several months ago that Mr. Olmstead had conflicted off of his case back in March 2011. Several attempts by Thomas and his mother to contact Mr. Olmstead in regards to the previous conflict were unsuccessful. It was during the Faretta Hearing when Thomas and his mother learned that Mr. Olmstead was resigning from the Office of Criminal Conflict and Civil Regional Counsel—effective March 1, 2013. This information was revealed by another criminal conflict attorney who was standing in for Mr. Olmstead. Previously, Mr. Olmstead had been absent from 3 of 4 of Thomas’ case management hearings. The criminal conflict attorney stated that a replacement attorney had been hired but was not working as of yet. The news of Thomas getting another attorney on his case was unexpected. Thomas decided to wait to speak with his new attorney before taking any further action on his case. Thomas’ fifth trial date was set for mid-April 2013.

One month to the date of Thomas’ Faretta Hearing, on March 19, 2013, Criminal Conflict Attorney, Daren Shippy, filed a Motion to Withdraw from Thomas’ case—citing “Conflict of Interest.” This was the same reason Mr. Olmstead cited in March 2011 when he withdrew from the case. In March 2011, Judge James Hankinson granted Mr. Olmstead’s Motion to Withdraw. Unbeknowest to Thomas and his mother, due to Mr. Olmstead’s conflict in 2011, Thomas was assigned a private attorney by the name of Baya Harrison. Mr. Harrison’s name would not appear on Thomas’ court docket until after Thomas’ mother paid to retain defense attorney Greg Cummings (March 12, 2011—in hindsight, Mr. Thomas’ mother does not see Mr. Harrison’s appointment and withdrawal from her son’s case as a coincidence).

In late July 2012, after having paid Greg Cummings nearly $30,000, Thomas’ mother finally decided to act on what family, friends, colleagues and complete strangers had been telling her for months—“You need to fire your son’s attorney.” Thomas’ mother also picked up on Cummings sinister behavior. She started paying more attention to what she was communicating to Cummings. She concluded that nothing State Prosecutor Jack Campbell did in regards to her son’s case was coincidental.

When Thomas’ mother had the discussion with her son to fire Cummings, she brought everything to the table. By then Thomas had already been in jail for well over a year. The firing of Cummings meant starting all over—something he (Thomas) did not want to do. And something that Thomas’ mother could not truly afford to do. Thomas did not immediately want to fire Cummings. Not because he had no issues with Cummings’ representation, but like any innocent, wrongfully accused person—Thomas wanted his freedom! During the sixteen months of Thomas’ incarceration, Cummings had not done anything to repudiate any of the charges, put on record/inform Thomas that the 2^nd lead detective on the case had been fired for possibly being involved in criminal activity; produce or depose the state’s key witness, or present any type of legal defense.

Thomas told Cummings about his mother’s wish to have him fired. At which time Cummings emailed Thomas’ mother making all sorts of promises. Cummings promises infuriated Thomas’ mother even more because the promises were not special promises—they were promises of tasks that any moral, ethical and average attorney would’ve done—should do—for every client that they choose to represent-open up various ways to communicate and put your clients best interest first. Cummings completely ignored several phone calls from Thomas. In response to a Florida Bar complaint that Thomas’ mother filed, Cummings stated, “He didn’t have time to respond to Ms. Chambers’ lengthy emails.” Ms. Chambers’ emails were lengthy because she and Thomas would go months without hearing a peep from Cummings. There was a severe lack of communication between Cummings and Thomas. When Thomas told Cummings that he was not able to pay any money toward his defense, Cummings offered to continue on his case without money—for free. Shortly, thereafter, Thomas fired Cummings.

Almost simultaneously to Cummings filing a Motion to Withdraw from Thomas’ case, Leon County Sheriff’s Office and the State Attorney’s Office announced that they were charging Thomas with solicitation to commit murder—with the intended victim being the state’s key witness, Trentin Ross. (According to Cummings, Trentin Ross had been asked to give a deposition over 3 times—each time Trentin Ross, did not make himself available.) To Thomas’ mother, the solicitation to commit murder charge confirmed that Cummings and State Prosecutor Jack Campbell were engaged in misconduct. Leon County Sheriff’s detectives had prematurely ended their 3 to 4 week investigation of Thomas supposedly hiring a nearly 30-year-old inmate who was in jail for bank robbery as a “Hit man” to murder Trentin Ross. As an attempt to intimidate Thomas’ mother and her other children, Cummings sent Thomas’ mother an email saying that she and her older son were to play a role in the hit—but the State Attorney’s Office was not going to press charges against her.

On March 27, 2013, Judge James Hankinson denied Criminal Conflict Attorney Daren Shippy’s Motion to Withdraw.

On March 28, 2013, the Petition for Habeas Corpus, filed Pro Se, was added to Thomas’ court file. In the Petition for Habeas Corpus, Thomas cites: Wrongful Arrest; Denial of Counsel; Illegal Search and Seizure; Lack of Investigation; and Failure to Produce Witnesses.

As of March 29, 2013, there has not been any action in regards to the Petition for Habeas Corpus. Both Thomas and his mother are looking forward to his day in court.

 

 

A nineteen year-old, white boy whose name is Conor McBride and a 19-year-old white girl whose name is Ann Grosmaire. In a picture it looks as if they’re sitting inside some type of vehicle. Cheek to cheek, with bright smiles on their faces, they appear to be very happy! Family and friends confirmed that the couple, who were students at Tallahassee Community College, first became sweethearts while in their sophomore year in high school. They were in a relationship for three years.

In a picture from the social media site Facebook. It shows both a picture and a word posting. The picture shows a seventeen year-old black boy whose name is DeShon Thomas. It looks as though DeShon Thomas is standing in a bathroom. He appears to be a robber or a gang member. He is wearing a black hat on his head and has a red bandana over his face—covering both his nose and mouth. He’s holding up one hand with his fingers positioned as a lowercase b. Next to his picture is a word posting to be read by his Facebook Friends. It’s coded in typical teenage code, for instance, the number 9 replaces the letter g. The word posting is short—nothing threatening. DeShon Thomas’ mother, Carissa Chambers, confirmed that the red bandana belongs to her and that the picture was taken in the bathroom of their home. DeShon Thomas’ mother and other family members confirmed that DeShon is not a gang member. DeShon Thomas’ associates could not confirm DeShon Thomas as being a gang member. Everyone who knows DeShon Thomas stated that he was a student at Tallahassee Community College and worked at Taco Bell.

It’s been reported that on March 28, 2010, nineteen year-old Ann Grosmaire stared down the barrel of a shotgun and begged for her life. Falling to her knees, she put her frail hand up to protect her face from a bullet that was sure to come out with so much force that it would blow her face completely off. Like a helpless little mouse caught in the paws of a hungry big cat, there was no way Ann Grosmaire could get away from the “Demon” holding the other end of the shotgun. He was angry. He was cold. He was evil. He’d physically abused her before—he is the other bright smiling face in the picture —he was her boyfriend, Conor McBride. Before Conor McBride decided to exchange his title from “the abusive boyfriend of Ann Grosmaire” to “Ann Grosmaire’s executioner”, the two had been arguing for hours through text messages, over the phone, and in person. As Conor McBride prepared to pull the trigger, to shoot Ann Grosmaire in the face and splatter her blood and brain all over his parents’ living room, Ann Grosmaire’s last words were, “No, don’t!” Sadly, Conor McBride, the young man who Ann Grosmaire once loved, the young man who Ann Grosmaire’s parents—Andy and Kate Grosmaire say they love—showed Ann no mercy. No mercy—Boom! In the face! When all she probably wanted from him leading up to that moment, was to feel loved.

After executing Ann Grosmaire, Conor McBride decided to go for a drive to calm down—to get his “anger” under control. He then decided to turn himself in to police. He drove to the Tallahassee Police Department and tearfully confessed to his “heinous” criminal act. By all accounts, Conor McBride was immediately treated like a “victim” versus a “heartless” murderer. He wasn’t handcuffed and whisked away to an interrogation room or thrown into the slammer. No. Instead, this tear jerked “Boogeyman” was taken into the comfort of the watch commander’s office. Conor McBride gave law enforcement officers the key to his parent’s home where he’d left Ann Grosmaire to die (Conor McBride’s parents were out of town). When law enforcement officers from the Tallahassee Police Department and the Leon County Sheriff’s Office arrived, Ann Grosmaire’s heart was still beating. She was then rushed to the hospital. Doctors put her on life-support and told her parents that she only had brainstem activity. A person doesn’t have to be a doctor to know that her brain was no longer in her head.

Four days later, Ann Grosmaire was taken off of life-support. On April 2, 2010, Andy and Kate Grosmaire became the parents of a murder victim. They lost their teenage daughter in a horrible act of domestic violence. The boy, who claimed to love their baby daughter, blew her brain out of her head. Without knowing the full extent of what led Conor McBride to commit such a heinous act on their daughter, Andy and Kate Grosmaire became advocates for wanting to see Conor McBride’s life spared from a life sentence in Florida’s Prison System. Andy Grosmaire heard about Restorative Justice and then discussed it with Conor McBride’s dad, Michael McBride over lunch. From there, Conor McBride’s mom, Julie McBride, contacted a Restorative Justice expert. After Conor McBride’s parents hired the Restorative Justice expert, Conor McBride’s parents and Criminal Defense Attorney Gregory Cummings (Conor’s attorney), began to plan a way to fit Restorative Justice, a “diversion program” used in much less serious offenses–mostly non-violent criminal acts, into a murder case to lighten Conor’s prison sentence.

Criminal Defense Attorney Gregory Cummings and Conor McBride’s parents definitely drove Conor’s case. Conor McBride’s parents know that Conor often had episodes of irrational anger. Still, Conor McBride’s parents and Criminal Defense Attorney Gregory Cummings arranged for a conference with State Prosecutor Jack Campbell. Jack Campbell had previously met with Ann Grosmaire’s parents. Jack Campbell had “heard” about them not wanting Conor McBride to be sentenced to life in prison. State Prosecutor Jack Campbell hinted to Ann Grosmaire’s parents that he had the “power” to sentence Conor McBride to as little as 5 years in prison for manslaughter—regardless as to what he’d confessed to and what the evidence showed. The meeting Criminal Defense Attorney Gregory Cummings arranged took place in a room at the Leon County Jail.

At the meeting, which was held over a year after the murder, Ann Grosmaire’s parents, a Catholic Priest, a Restorative Justice supporter, a Restorative Justice expert, Criminal Defense Attorney Greg Cummings  and State Prosecutor Jack Campbell all “worked” together to “help” Conor. In doing so, jailhouse policies regarding inmates took a backseat to the admitted monster, Conor McBride. Conor McBride was allowed to hug his parents and Ann Grosmaire’s parents. Little did Ann Grosmaire’s parents know that they’d just embraced the devil who cold-bloodedly murdered their Angel and not the young man that they’d thought accidentally shot their daughter. Allowing an inmate to “touch” others is where Jack Campbell, being the son of Leon County Sheriff Larry Campbell, trumped Jack Campbell being a State Prosecutor. Also, this is where Sheriff Larry Campbell being the father of Jack Campbell trumped Sheriff Larry Campbell being the Sheriff Tallahassee citizens elected to serve and protect their community—fair and unbiased.

Jack Campbell would not have been happy had the meeting not gone his way. Criminal Defense Attorney Greg Cummings may have arranged the meeting, but it was State Prosecutor Jack Campbell’s show. And it was going to be ran the way he and Greg Cummings wanted it to be run.

Take a moment and think about how many parents, especially Tallahassee citizens, who would love to hug their child for just one second, after their child has been charged and arrested for any crime—not just murder. Think about how many parents would love to use Restorative Justice to give their child another chance at life. Conor McBride wasn’t a young man who accidentally shot his girlfriend skeet shooting. This boy admitted to being the devil that came to steal, kill and destroy!

Ignoring the physical evidence and Conner McBride’s own confession, Criminal Defense Attorney Greg Cummings and State Prosecutor Jack Campbell has made it possible for Conor McBride to plan future activities with his parents. Ignoring the physical evidence and Conor McBride’s own confession, Criminal Defense Attorney Greg Cummings and State Prosecutor Jack Campbell has made it possible for Conor McBride to be able to give his parents unlimited hugs. Andy and Kate Grosmaire will never ever have unlimited hugs from their daughter Ann. Ann Grosmaire cannot give her parents—one more hug.

Seventeen year-old DeShon Thomas’ mother has not hugged her son in over 2 years. Had DeShon Thomas’ criminal case been left in the hands of Criminal Defense Attorney Greg Cummings, she may have never hugged her son again! Criminal Defense Attorney Greg Cummings may have been a great driver for Julie and Michael McBride’s murderous son, but after hustling DeShon Thomas’ mother to hire him to represent her son,  he was DWI—driving while ignorant! Criminal Defense Attorney Greg Cummings promised several things to Ms. Chambers and her son before signing a Contract for Service—and then reneged on every last one of them. Criminal Defense Attorney Greg Cummings works out of his home (75 miles outside of Tallahassee), he has no paralegal—which means every case that he handles is solely on him. If he gets “hit by bus” or “his planes goes down,” it would not be good for his clients. However, DeShon Thomas’ mother says that he put on such a good song and dance, that she didn’t want to hold that against him. So she took all of her financial savings and trusted him to represent her son on several charges with the more serious charges being Two Counts of 1^st Degree Murder.

On the morning of January 27, 2011, seventeen year-old DeShon Thomas’ pregnant 20-year-old ex-girlfriend, Laqecia Herring and her 17-year-old brother, Sterling Conner Jr.’s bodies were found by their mother, 16-year-old brother and their mother’s girlfriend in their northwest Tallahassee townhome. The victims were in their living room and had been shot in the head two times each. Sterling Conner Jr.’s body had been wrapped in two blankets. There was one bullet hole through the blanket near his head. Laqecia Herring’s body was found sitting in a chair. Sadly, Laqecia Herring’s year-old daughter was standing on her lap—she was unharmed (a bittersweet moment for Laqecia Herring’s family).

Whereas Criminal Defense Attorney Greg Cummings and State Prosecutor Jack Campbell had open ears to Ann Grosmaire and Conor McBride’s parents, that was hardly the case with murder victims— Laqecia Herring and Sterling Conner Jr.’s mother, Tracy Bush. As well as, suspect–DeShon Thomas’ mother. The highest quality hearing aid on today’s market wouldn’t have made Criminal Defense Attorney Greg Cummings and State Prosecutor Jack Campbell hear half of the words that came out Ms. Bush and Ms. Chambers’ mouths.

DeShon Thomas and Laqecia Herring first met in 2006 when DeShon Thomas was thirteen and attending middle school. Because DeShon Thomas had only attended middle school for only four months, he and Laqecia Herring (who was 16-years-old in middle school) lost touch. It is believed that Laqecia Herring may have attended another nearby middle school where the majority of their students are inner-city and the school has a lower grade rating. Most of DeShon Thomas’ friends lived in the inner-city where their parents highly depended on government subsidized programs. DeShon Thomas’ mother worked—DeShon Thomas was a well cared for child and it showed. He was looked up to by several of his friends (in some cases—his friends parents). Because DeShon Thomas was looked up to by his friends and their parents, DeShon Thomas pushed the envelope at home. DeShon knew that he could go live at his friend homes. However, this did not make DeShon Thomas’ mother budge with the rules set forth at home. DeShon Thomas was allowed to wear a red bandana over his face at home (which he rarely did), but he never wore a red bandana on his head or over his face in the community. DeShon Thomas was not a gang member.

In early 2008, DeShon Thomas was fourteen years-old. That year DeShon Thomas kept finding himself on the opposite side of the law. For some kids it takes only one time to get in trouble to learn their lesson. For some kids it takes numerous times to get trouble to learn their lesson. For DeShon Thomas, it took him three times to learn his lesson. All three times he “hit the ball out of the park.” Two of the three times local law enforcement officers were careless with their loaded guns. Fortunately, DeShon Thomas and none of the other boys (including the son of an ex-law enforcement officer) none of the boys set out to hurt anyone. In both cases, all of the guns were recovered. The third offense put the icing on the cake. By the end of 2008, DeShon Thomas entered a no contest plea to grand theft of firearm and was sentenced to six months in a minimum secure juvenile facility.

On July 11, 2010, DeShon Thomas turned 17-years-old. The next month, he became a student at Tallahassee Community College (he’d received his General Education Diploma a few months earlier). Laqecia Herring, who was enrolled in the Teen Parent Program at Lively Technical Institute, which was right next door to TCC, was studying for her General Education Diploma. DeShon Thomas looked older than his 17 years. He loved the attention that was given to him by older girls. From time to time, DeShon Thomas mother tried to discourage him from dating older girls and girls with babies. But DeShon Thomas’ mother, who was a teen mom herself, found it easier to just keep a watchful eye on the girls that he was dating. One older girl had already named DeShon Thomas as the father of her son—a paternity DNA test proved that he was not. DeShon Thomas’ mother admits that DeShon was very caring of the girls that he dated. When he moved in with Laqecia Herring and Sterling Conner Jr., although his stay was brief, he’d spent money that he’d saved up to get a car on Laqecia Herring, her daughter, her brother, Sterling Conner Jr. and his friends. DeShon Thomas also stated that he’d given Laqecia Herring money to have the carpets cleaned at the residence.  Laqecia Herring and DeShon Thomas dated for about 6 to 8 weeks. After their break-up in October 2010, DeShon Thomas returned home. Laqecia Herring learned that DeShon Thomas was cheating on her.

In early November, DeShon Thomas’ mother received an email from Laqecia Herring informing her that she was pregnant from DeShon Thomas and that she had no plans to go through with her pregnancy. Also in the email, she asks DeShon Thomas’ mother to give her a call—to which she does. (When DeShon Thomas’ mother asks him about Laqecia Herring being pregnant, he states that he wasn’t for sure if he was the father. Deshon Thomas’ mother tells him about Laqecia Herring plans to terminate the pregnancy and because of her financial situation he has to pay for it.) After several emotional phone calls between Laqecia Herring and DeShon Thomas’ mother; and a consultation at an abortion clinic that cost $140—to which Laqecia Herring, DeShon Thomas and Laqecia Herring’s mother’s girlfriend sat in on, Laqecia Herring was still prepared to terminate the pregnancy. A few days later (the day of the actual procedure), Laqecia Herring changed her mind. The reason that she’d given to DeShon Thomas’ mother for not going through with the procedure was that she (Laqecia Herring) didn’t feel like it was fair for DeShon Thomas’ mother to pay for it (DeShon Thomas, himself, had opted not to pay for it saying that he didn’t have the money. Unbeknowest to Deshon Thomas, his mother had offered to pay for it by putting it on her credit card versus giving Laqecia Herring cash. DeShon Thomas’ mother knew that DeShon Thomas didn’t want Laqecia Herring to have an abortion and she (DeShon Thomas’ mother) felt like Laqecia Herring didn’t want to have an abortion. With Laqecia Herring turning down DeShon Thomas’ mother to pay for the procedure, it was clear that Laqecia Herring was just angry and wanted to DeShon Thomas to pay financially for their break-up not her pregnancy.)

In spite of DeShon Thomas and Laqecia Herring entering into relationships with different people, they were friends and kept in touch. Laqecia Herring was back in a relationship with her on again off again 21-year-old boyfriend of two years—he even thought that he was the father of her unborn baby (that fact wouldn’t come out until 3 days after the murders). There was no animosity between DeShon Thomas and Laqecia Herring. In text messages exchanged between Laqecia Herring and DeShon Thomas the night she was murdered, DeShon Thomas, who was at work, was asking her about threatening posts that he’d seen on Facebook about one of her best friends hurting her. DeShon Thomas says that he was especially concerned for her (Laqecia Herring’s) safety because she was pregnant with his baby. The female who had posted the threatening posts against Laqecia Herring’s life was just one of many people named by the victims’ mother and brother as possibly murdering their loved ones.

On the morning of January 27, 2011, at the crime scene, the only reason why DeShon Thomas’ name was mentioned was because the victims’ mother informed Leon County Sheriff’s detectives that Laqecia Herring was about five months pregnant. When detectives asked the victims’ mother who fathered Laqecia Herring’s unborn baby, she told them—DeShon Thomas. More than likely, detectives looked DeShon Thomas up in their computer database and saw where he had a juvenile record. It was those two year old charges that immediately sent detectives on a “witch hunt.” At the Leon County Sheriff’s Office, the victims’ mother and brother gave detectives a laundry list of people to investigate—DeShon Thomas was not one of them.

Nineteen year-old Conor McBride walked into the Tallahassee Police Department and confessed to a horrific crime, he was taken to the watch commander’s office. DeShon Thomas and his mother walked into the Leon County Sheriff’s Office to give a statement, they were subjected to racist jokes and comments by Reserve Deputy Don Odham, and eventually locked in an interrogation room without being charged of a crime and being denied access to an attorney.

Over the next 11 days, detectives would focus most of their energy on DeShon Thomas. On the other hand, the victims’ mother and brother would repeatedly make trips and phone calls to detectives informing them of crucial information that could possibly lead them to their loved ones murderer. The information that was provided by the victims’ mother and brother was information that was either not available at the time of their first interview or was withheld from detectives by the victims’ brother. The victims’ mother told detectives that Sterling Conner Jr. and his brother did not get along.

After the 1^st lead detective and others investigating the murder case couldn’t make a case against DeShon Thomas, the 2^nd lead detective, Reserve Deputy Don Odham, who’d already shown DeShon Thomas and DeShon Thomas’ mother his racist side, stooped so low as to LIE in order to get DeShon Thomas charged with Two Counts of 1^st Degree Murder. On hand to support and sign off on the Summary of Offense and Probable Cause for Two Counts of 1^st Degree Murder was State Prosecutor Jack Campbell.

On February 7, 2011, DeShon Thomas’ face was plastered all of the local news media as being the murderer of the sister and brother who had been found murdered in their townhouse. The following morning was DeShon Thomas’ first court appearance before a judge to be officially charged with the murders. DeShon Thomas’ mother arrived to court early. She’d already spoken with DeShon Thomas and the 21-year-old co-worker and roommate to whom DeShon Thomas had been temporarily living with as DeShon Thomas’ mother had put her house up for sale; three weeks earlier she’d moved the majority of her family’s belongings to Central Florida. While waiting for court to start, DeShon Thomas’ mother was joined by a young man who she believed at the time was an employee at a bondsman’s office. The young man provided DeShon Thomas’ mother with a copy of a legal document titled ‘Summary of Offense and Probable Cause for Two Counts of 1^st Degree Murder’. This document was a summary stating why Leon County Sheriff’s Detectives charged DeShon Thomas with the murders. After reading the summary, DeShon Thomas’ mother immediately knew that the three main pieces of evidence that would need to be brought to light to exonerate her son were: DeShon Thomas’ cell phone records, victims’ time of death (autopsy report), and a sworn statement from the 21-year-old co-worker and roommate to whom DeShon Thomas had been living with.

There were lots of obvious lies in the summary that DeShon Thomas’ mother knew for a fact was lies. Then there were things that just didn’t make sense. In the summary it was stated that the 21-year-old co-worker and roommate stated that he’d drove DeShon Thomas to the victims residence at 4 o’clock in the morning of January 27, 2011 and from afar, basically witnessed DeShon Thomas murder the victims; and then the 21-year-old drove DeShon to dispose of the murder weapon at a nearby dumpster which was within walking distance of the victims’ residence. DeShon Thomas’ mother was not surprised when she read that it was DeShon Thomas’ co-worker and roommate that had been used to give detectives incriminating statements that detectives needed to charge her son. Detectives had been constantly harassing him and others in order to get someone to give an incriminating statement about DeShon Thomas. Also, on January 28, 2011, while DeShon Thomas and his mother were locked in a room at the Leon County Sheriff’s Office, detectives had served a search warrant on DeShon Thomas’ co-worker and roommate’s one-bedroom apartment. During the search, detectives located drug paraphernalia on the living room table and 5 stems of marijuana sprouting out of 5 pots of soil and a heat lamp in his bedroom closet. DeShon Thomas’ co-worker and roommate and DeShon Thomas were charged with Cultivation of Marijuana and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. DeShon Thomas’ co-worker and roommate did not have a criminal record. Because the apartment belonged to DeShon Thomas’ co-worker and roommate, and the marijuana stems were found in his closet, a Juvenile Court judge did not find probable cause to charge DeShon Thomas. Detectives would lie in order to get the judge to find probable cause in that case. The case would be sent to Adult Court.

Instead of firing Criminal Defense Attorney Greg Cummings for reneging on his promises, Ms. Chambers discussed her son’s case with any and everyone who would listen. By doing this, she got good advice (both legal and personal) and gained a lot of knowledge about the judicial process. DeShon Thomas’ mother was told about a significant report given to criminal defense attorneys called the Discovery Report. DeShon Thomas’ mother was told the Discovery Report is a report that consists of several pieces of vital information such as witness statements, detective reports, search warrants, reports from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, legal documents—a lot of vital information. After hearing about the Discovery Report, and how it was public record, DeShon Thomas’ mother aggressively hounded Greg Cummings about getting her a copy. She left numerous messages on his voicemail. Finally, in early September 2011, Greg Cummings gave DeShon Thomas’ mother a CD containing the Discovery Report on it. The Discovery Report was 493 pages.

While reading the pages of the Discovery Report, DeShon Thomas’ mother began to feel ill. Her stomach felt sicker than any morning sickness that she’d experienced during her two pregnancies. Acting on impulse, she immediately called Criminal Defense Attorney Greg Cummings for clarification as to why her son was in jail. There was nothing in the Discovery Report that she could find that justified her son’s incarceration. When Greg Cummings didn’t answer his phone, DeShon Thomas’ mother sent him an email expressing her frustration about the numerous lies in the report. She also questioned Greg Cummings as to where information that should’ve been in the Discovery Report like interviews that was said to have been taken in one place but was not found in the section where it should’ve been. Also, there was nothing that stated the victims’ time of death—not even an estimated time of death. Another thing that DeShon Thomas’ mother found to be disturbing was the fact that detectives had obtained a court order for DeShon Thomas’ cell phone records and had him being tracked by his cell phone carrier a few hours after the victims’ bodies were found. Detectives also had DeShon Thomas’ cell phone records Sealed almost soon after reviewing them—the same day. This indicated to DeShon Thomas’ mother that detectives didn’t find the incriminating evidence that they were looking for in his cell phone records—if so, they would’ve immediately arrested DeShon Thomas.

Chief Assistant State Attorney Georgia Cappleman, Assistant State Attorney Eric Trombley, Assistant State Attorney Jack Campbell, Former Reserve Deputy Detective Don Odham and several detectives with the Leon County Sheriff’s Office blatantly LIED on DeShon Thomas—a child. Fortunately, their lies cannot manifest pass DeShon Thomas’ being in the Leon County Jail where he has been for over 2 years now.

A few months after DeShon Thomas’ arrest, Reserve Deputy Detective Don Odham was fired from the Leon County Sheriff’s Office for possibly being a party to criminal activity in another state. Also, a few months after DeShon Thomas’ arrest, one of the possible suspects to whom the victims’ mother and younger brother highly suspected as being the murderer of their loved ones, was charged and arrested for assaulting someone with a gun (to DeShon Thomas’ mother’ knowledge, the gun used in the murders has not been found). This highly suspected 17-year-old male, fits the description of an eyewitness to whom told detectives that she saw the male victim allow into the residence late the previous evening before the victims were found. Despite this 17-year-old having an extensive juvenile criminal history, state prosecutor’s decided to keep his case in Juvenile Court—where his court file is protected.

After sixteen months, DeShon Thomas’ mother, who’d paid Criminal Defense Attorney Greg Cummings nearly $30,000, suggested to DeShon Thomas, who was now 19-years-old, to fire Criminal Defense Attorney Greg Cummings.  She’d been seeing a lot of signs about Greg Cummings that was making her feel extremely uncomfortable. Besides that, Greg Cummings had not done anything to help exonerate DeShon Thomas. He did not interview anyone on DeShon Thomas’ behalf. To date, DeShon Thomas and his mother still do not know the victims’ time of death; DeShon Thomas’ cell phone records are still Sealed, and there is still no sworn statement from anyone—not even the State Prosecutor’s supposed key witness, DeShon Thomas’ 21-year-old former co-worker and roommate. This “key witness” supposedly had been asked three times or more to give a sworn deposition, to which he declined all times. So the question remains by DeShon Thomas’ mother and DeShon Thomas—is there a “key witness”—and did DeShon Thomas’ 21-year-old co-worker and roommate make incriminating statements about DeShon Thomas?

Solicitation to Commit Murder charge. In August 2012, Deshon Thomas was charged with Solicitation to Commit Murder with the intended victim being the State’s supposed “key witness,” the young man who has refused several times to give a sworn deposition, DeShon Thomas’ co-worker and roommate. This charge was not surprising to DeShon Thomas’ mother, family members and those that have been keeping up with his case. This Solicitation to Commit Murder is nothing but a way for State Prosecutor Jack Campbell to try to show the community why their “key witness” has not given a sworn deposition and further dehumanize Deshon Thomas. Greg Cummings told the media that he was disappointed in DeShon Thomas. Greg Cummings never told the media that he’d been FIRED off of the case. Almost simultaneous to Criminal Defense Attorney Greg Cummings filing to withdraw from DeShon Thomas’ case, Leon County Sheriff’s Detectives abruptly ended their Solicitation to Commit Murder investigation (according to the Solicitation to Commit Murder Probable Cause report, detectives started investigating the case in late June—six weeks earlier). DeShon Thomas’ firing Criminal Defense Attorney Gregory Cummings brought an end to Greg Cummings and Jack Campbell’s buddy-buddy system—at least on his case.

Immediately upon firing Criminal Defense Attorney Greg Cummings, DeShon Thomas was placed in Solitary Confinement where he’s not been able to make phone calls home or have any visitors. Unable to afford another criminal defense attorney, DeShon Thomas’ mother suggested that he go with a court appointed attorney. Being as though DeShon Thomas’ mother has seen quite a bit of the Discovery Report, and the fact that DeShon Thomas’ cell phone records are still Sealed, with the State Attorney seeming to not want to release the victims’ autopsy report, and DeShon Thomas’ ex-co-worker and roommate doesn’t seem to want to give a Sworn Deposition—DeShon Thomas’ mother is confident that a court appointed attorney should not have a problem winning DeShon Thomas his freedom.

Never did DeShon Thomas or his mother think that a court appointed attorney would come along and do absolutely nothing!

In September 2012, DeShon Thomas was assigned an attorney out of The Office of Criminal Conflict and Civil Regional Counsel. By January 2013, four months after being assigned DeShon Thomas’ case, nothing had been done. Nineteen year-old DeShon Thomas filed Pro Se (to represent himself) in the Circuit Court of the 2^nd Judicial Circuit in and for Leon County. Although DeShon Thomas knew this to be a risky move, he had to do something to try to move his case forward. He’d been reading a lot about the law in law books available to inmates, as well as, law books that his mother had sent to him. DeShon Thomas has an upcoming trial date in April 2013. DeShon Thomas doesn’t want any delays. Last year State Prosecutor Jack Campbell asked the judge for four or more continuances—one of them was because the fired Former Reserve Deputy Detective Don Odham (2^nd lead detective), went on a family vacation. It has been stated that Former Reserve Deputy (2^nd lead detective) Don Odham is very close to the Campbell family. It has been stated that Former Reserve Deputy Don Odham was unethical, immoral and a disgrace to the badge that he once wore. The crime to which he was a party to shows that he has no care for human life.

Conor McBride’s parents hired a Restorative Justice expert from Oakland, California to come to Tallahassee to implement her diversion program. The meeting took place at the Leon County Jail. The Restorative Justice expert laid out the ground rules. Leon County Jail policy states that there is “no physical contact between inmates and visitors.” The Restorative Justice expert, who is not a Leon County taxpayer, nor a Florida taxpayer, persuaded Sheriff Larry Campbell to “violate” his own policy. Sheriff Larry Campbell deliberately violated his own policy for an inmate who had a history of abusing his teenage girlfriend and then shooting her in the face with a shotgun, blowing her brain out of her head.

It’s been stated that Sheriff Larry Campbell has no respect for women of abuse. The Restorative Justice expert—the woman who “persuaded” Sheriff Larry Campbell to violate the no physical contact between inmates and visitors policy is a woman of abuse. But really—the meeting—that “show”—belonged to Sheriff Larry Campbell’s son, State Prosecutor Jack Campbell. Sheriff Larry Campbell did not display respect for the murder victim, Ann Grosmaire—a young woman of abuse. For his son—Jack Campbell—the show must go on—even when it means violating his own policy (or policies).

Carissa Chambers has spent most of her life paying taxes in Florida. She lived in Tallahassee for about 11 years. Her son, DeShon Thomas, has spent two birthdays in the Leon County Jail—the murders that he’s been wrongfully accused of committing, happened in Sheriff Larry Campbell’s jurisdiction. Two piece of significant evidence that can exonerate her son. One significant piece of evidence that can exonerate DeShon Thomas’ cell phone records, which are Sealed in the court by Leon County Sheriff’s Detectives. The other piece of evidence that can exonerate DeShon Thomas are the autopsy reports (victims’ time of death)—which is being withheld from public record. The District Two Medical Examiner’s Office is still waiting to hear from the State Attorney’s Office so that they can release them to public records.

DeShon Thomas has sent several requests to his former attorney Greg Cummings asking that a copy of all information pertaining to his case be sent to his mother. Four months later, DeShon Thomas requests have gone ignored—the same as Greg Cummings was doing when he was his attorney.

On February 13, 2013, DeShon Thomas’ mother went to the Leon County Sheriff’s Office to speak with someone about the restrictions that DeShon Thomas has been subjected to for six months (DeShon Thomas has been in Solitary Confinement for six months—he’s unable to use the phone and he’s unable to have visitors). A sheriff’s deputy told DeShon Thomas’ mother that she needed to go to the jail and speak with Major Coughlin. DeShon Thomas’ mother went to the jail and asked a woman working there if she could speak with Major Coughlin. The woman got on the phone and told someone that DeShon Thomas’ mother was there wanting to speak with Major Coughlin. According to Leon County Jail staff members, Major Coughlin had just left their work area. Over an hour and a half of waiting and having the staff members try and locate Major Coughlin, DeShon Thomas’ mother decided to leave a detailed voicemail message in Major Coughlin’s voicemail box.

The next afternoon, DeShon Thomas’ mother received a phone call—not from Major Coughlin, but from a man named Deputy Lee. Deputy Lee was calling in place of Major Coughlin. The problem with Deputy Lee calling in place of Major Coughlin was—Deputy Lee could only translate DeShon Thomas’ mother’s questions and concerns to Major Coughlin (the same as the voicemail message). Deputy Lee did say that after translating DeShon Thomas’ mother’s questions and concerns that he (Deputy Lee) would call her back. DeShon Thomas’ mother never got a return call.

Where the head goes the body will follow. The same as Sheriff Larry Campbell is known to be disrespectful to women of abuse; several people have stated that Sheriff Larry Campbell is racist-DeShon Thomas and DeShon Thomas’ mother are no strangers to Sheriff Larry Campbell’s subordinates being racist toward a black man, a black woman and a black child.

On February 19, 2013, DeShon Thomas was in court at his Faretta Hearing. At the Faretta Hearing, DeShon Thomas and his mother had not seen each other in six months. Although the moment was short-lived, they stood to look at each other as much as they could without feeling heartbreak. Early on, when DeShon Thomas was first arrested, he and his mother promised each other they’d be strong for one another. As DeShon Thomas’ mother waited anxiously to see the attorney who had done nothing on her son’s case, the 8:30 a.m. court start time—came and went. DeShon Thomas’ court appointed attorney did not show up. The Office of Criminal Conflict and Civil Regional Counsel sent another attorney to stand in for him. The attorney arrived in the courtroom 15 minutes late. After the judge took his seat, the judge announced that the assigned court appointed attorney had called in sick. Then the attorney standing in for the court appointed attorney stated that the assigned court appointed attorney was quitting effective March 1, 2013. Something DeShon Thomas was completely unaware about the attorney’s planned departure. DeShon Thomas probably would’ve remained unaware about it had he not filed Pro Se and been granted the Faretta Hearing. The Office of Criminal Conflict and Civil Regional Counsel didn’t know who was replacing the assigned court appointed attorney, but supposedly had already hired someone to replace him.

Since DeShon Thomas’ reason for filing Pro Se was due to the lack of action occurring on his case by the assigned court appointed attorney, the judge gave DeShon Thomas the option to continue on with the hearing or wait to meet with the replacement attorney; telling DeShon Thomas that he could file Pro Se again if he wanted. DeShon Thomas told the judge that he would meet with his new attorney.

On March 7, 2013, on behalf of DeShon Thomas, DeShon Thomas’ mother sent The Office of Criminal Conflict and Civil Regional Counsel a Petition for Habeas Corpus along with a Habeas Corpus writ to be filed for DeShon Thomas. If the Petition is denied, then Deshon Thomas is asking that his new court appointed attorney file the necessary motions to have all charges against him dropped. DeShon Thomas is Innocent! DeShon Thomas wants his freedom now! There is no evidence against him that should stop the judge from granting DeShon Thomas his freedom as soon as possible.

The 2^nd District State Attorney’s Office should not be trying to lock up DeShon Thomas, an innocent kid, for the rest of his life. There is no doubt that had Leon County Sheriff’s Detectives listened to the victims’ mother and brother; and then in turn listen to DeShon Thomas’ mother, then the investigation would’ve gone differently. There is nothing that can justify the lies that have told by Leon County Sheriff Detectives and the 2^nd District State Attorney’s Office. The victims’ family members did not name DeShon Thomas as a suspect. Now, State Prosecutor Jack Campbell has a 2^nd lead detective who is a liar and a highly questionable “key witness.” The State Attorney’s office has issued a warrant for their own “key witness’” arrest for missing a court date in regards to the Cultivation of Marijuana. Back on February 4, 2011, the same day that their “key witness” supposedly “voluntarily” gave Reserve Deputy Don Odham incriminating statements against DeShon Thomas, there was an Oral Motion given on this “key witness’” case Waiving All Fees and Court Cost.

With the latest news of an arrest warrant being issued for their “key witness,” the message is: “you’re either for us or against us. And if you’re against us—then we’ll come and arrest you.”

Criminal Defense Attorney Greg Cummings, 2^nd District State Attorney Willie Meggs, Sheriff Larry Campbell and his son, State Prosecutor Jack Campbell— all came together to “help” Conor McBride, the “Devil they know and saved.” They have profiled a kid, DeShon Thomas—The Kid that they are trying to destroy!

It’s been a little over five months since WCTV reported on, “Murder Suspect Accused of Trying to Arrange Hit Man,” in regards to the January 2011 Wolf Creek double homicide, where 17-year-old DeShon Thomas was charged with the murders. In the online article it states, “DeShon Thomas is behind bars, but deputies say that didn’t stop him from trying to silence his former roommate who plans to testify against him at his upcoming trial.”

The article quotes State Attorney Willie Meggs as saying, “It could have happened at anytime because the person that was supposed to be doing it was in fact…had made bond and was out” and, “It will clearly have an impact on the murder case.”

It further quotes DeShon Thomas’ fired former Defense Attorney Gregory Cummings as saying, “He is disappointed and fears this will delay Thomas’ trial. Saying he asked the court to remove him as defense attorney before Thomas was arrested on Friday—citing an ongoing dispute between him and Thomas’ mother. He says he was not aware of the new solicitation to commit murder charge until this morning.”

I was not surprised to read Gregory Cummings say that “he was not aware” because for a year and a half he showed me and my son, DeShon Thomas, that “he was not aware”—that’s why he was FIRED! Adding him to the low class of citizens with Former Detective Don Odham who was also FIRED from the Leon County Sheriff’s Office.

Former Detective Don Odham, was given the lead detective position, replacing Detective Melinda McBride over the murder investigation. Former Detective Don Odham is also responsible for interviewing Trentin Ross, my son’s ex-co-worker/roommate, who then made the incriminating statements against my son. I say, “Then”—because Trentin Ross had already been interview by 1st Lead Detective Melinda McBride and Lieutenant Tim Baxter. Lieutenant Baxter went as far as interviewing Trentin Ross over several days—which netted nothing. Hours after detectives arrived on the crime scene, Detective Dawn Dennis obtained a Court Order for my son’s cell phone records and had him being tracked by his cell phone company. After they reviewed his cell phone records and they saw that it didn’t help their case—they had his cell phone records Sealed. After they served the search warrant on Trentin Ross’ apartment, they didn’t find anything to connect my son with a double murder. Detectives were striking out because they were on the wrong trail.

So they sent in the 17 year Reserve Deputy—“the donut guy” / “play cop” to get Trentin Ross to confess to him the roles that he and my son played during the morning of the murders. Something that Trentin Ross didn’t do after he was placed under arrest for the small marijuana grow that was discovered in his bedroom closet. To which now we know that the plants were not sanctioned under the search warrant. Detectives can’t say that they had no idea that there was a possibility of marijuana being in the residence because according to some of the detectives reports they state that as soon as the door to the residence was opened there was a smell of freshly smoked marijuana lingering in the apartment. Well, it wasn’t my son who’d just smoked it—because by the time they served the search warrant on the apartment, we were still being held hostage at the Leon County Sheriff’s Office for going on three hours.

The Taco Bell where both DeShon Thomas and Trentin Ross worked was less than a three minute drive from Trentin Ross’ apartment–which is where Leon County Sheriff’s Detectives swarmed the building and arrested him. He was charged with Cultivation of Marijuana and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. DeShon Thomas was also charged with Cultivation of Marijuana and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

At first DeShon Thomas’ case was in Juvenile Court, where the judge did not find Probable Cause. After allowing the State 72 hours to “Perferct” the State came back with an unknown witness to say that my son told her that he planted the seeds that had turned into stems. The Probable Cause report for the Cultivation of Marijuana and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia is different in Trentin Ross’ file and DeShon Thomas’ file. In some instances they even have DeShon Thomas as the “Defendant” versus the co-Defendant.

For nearly two years, Trentin Ross’ trial date for Cultivation of Marijuana and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia had been reset every time the Murder trial against my son was changed. I used to think that it was because the State Attorney’s office was trying to score a deal with Trentin Ross in order to get him to stick to the story that landed the murder charges against my son. Keep in mind that Gregory Cummings never deposed Trentin Ross—so there’s no sworn testimony as to what Trentin Ross did or did not say; and what kind of conditions he was under when he did or did not give his statement to Former Detective Don Odham.

However, I have learned that while back in August, the State Attorney’s Office seemed to be so concerned about Trentin Ross’ safety, since he was their “Key Witness” and “who plans to testify against him at the upcoming trial”– now, when he didn’t show up for his case management hearing last week for the Cultivation of Marijuana and Drug Paraphernalia, they’ve issued a warrant for his arrest. So in other words—if you don’t play with us—then we’ll arrest you. Or—now that DeShon Thomas has FIRED our buddy Gregory Cummings, our plan is FOILED and we don’t need you anymore. Either way—you can read the email exchanges I sent to Gregory Cummings below and you can decide for yourself what strategy they decided on. (Note the date when I sent him the email and when he replied—huge communication gap.) I trusted this guy for way too long.

On Apr 26, 2012, at 3:53 PM, CARISSA CHAMBERS wrote:

> Yesterday Trentin Ross was due in court for cultivating marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. However, his case was rescheduled for the last week of August.
>
> I’m not surprised by this because each time DeShon’s case has been rescheduled Trentin Ross’ case gets rescheduled–always dated afterwards . I believe Trentin Ross’ 1st court date was set for sometime in Jan or Feb before it was rescheduled for April 25th which would’ve been after DeShon’s trial had he gone to trial on April 9th as originally scheduled. Seems to me like a deal may be in the making for Trentin Ross’ testimony in DeShon’s case.
>
> Any idea of when you’ll be taking Trentin Ross’ deposition?

From: Gregory J. Cummings (gregcummings@fairpoint.net)
Sent: Wed 7/18/12 6:01 PM
To: CARISSA CHAMBERS (ccari27@hotmail.com)

TR depo was to be taken today. I called his attorney last week to inquire if all was set. He got back to me Monday night and left only a message to call him and I talked to him before court. However, on Tuesday I was told by his attorney he could not make it because of his work schedule and we would have to go there to depos him. His attorney does not want to make the trip because it would take an entire day and because I believe he will not get paid for it.

So, the depo was reset for 8-10 here in Tallahassee with Jack Campbell going to talk to his parents and trying to convince them to him come up here that was what I knew before court yesterday. Now that the case is set for October I’m not sure what will happen on the 10th.

Yes TR will get a better deal than he would have normally if he “testifies consistently” with his past statements. That is the term routinely used in this line of work. At trial the state will make a big deal of “No deals have been made” no threats or promises but the jury will get the idea of what is hanging over his head and the continuances of his case…
______________________________________________________________________________________________________

• Update‏
Greg Cummings (gregcummings@fairpoint.net)
3/29/12
To: Cl L Thomas Deshon
I have to cancel the depo tomorrow. Paul Sryigly, Ross’ attorney, got a call Wednesday night that his client did not have $ to get here. Paul and I had agreed I would provide him mileage by check $212.70 at the depo. Then Ross calls Paul, I suggest sending him a bus ticket or paying for one up here to be picked up in Port Orange where he lives, no go. Last night I get an email at midnight that Ross may be able to get a ride and Paul will call him at 10 this morning to get an update. So the final word is Ross cannot make it and we will have to reschedule.

Also it looks like the trial may be reset for August due to the unavailability of other key state witnesses. I’ll let you know what else I hear on that.

Greg

**The Solicitation of Murder Charges against my son—was because the State Attorney’s Office couldn’t get Trentin Ross to come back to Tallahassee and LIE for them. Don’t be surprised if they try to charge Trentin Ross as an accomplice to murder or an accessory after the fact. Stay tuned—there’s more to come.

According to an article that I recently read on an MSNBC website, law school graduates seeking to get law licenses have to pass the Florida Bar’s two-pronged test: an exam and a moral character review. I did not do the research to find out when The Florida Bar put that two-pronged test into effect. Nor did I do the research to find out what tests were required for existing attorneys, especially those who have been practicing law for over 30 years. I’m not a law school student, but I know that in some criminal cases 30 years ago, law enforcement officers, in conjunction with state prosecutors, didn’t use a whole lot of man hours when investigating criminal cases. You see, there were, and still are, those in authority who have sold their souls to the devil by knowingly lying on innocent people and allowing that innocent person to serve jail and or prison time for committing murders and other crimes.
Over 30 years ago, if a law enforcement officer said that someone committed a murder, then there you go—one or two paid off witnesses later—and the state prosecutor was guaranteed to get a jury to return a guilty verdict. If you think that this is false, just ask my new friend William Dillon who spent 27 years in prison for a 1981 murder that he didn’t commit. William Dillon, his girlfriend, Ellen and I spent hours on the phone discussing his case and my son’s case. He pointed out similarities of my son’s case and his–he too voluntarily went down to the sheriff’s office because of their focus on him and no one else. William Dillon was 21-years-old when he was charged with the beating death of a man he’d never came in contact with. In 2008, DNA evidence eventually cleared William Dillon. Governor Rick Scott would later sign a claims bill that will compensate him a monetary settlement of $1.35 million, but that will never be enough for taking an innocent man away from his loving family, opportunity to be a base stellar baseball pitcher, a loving husband and father in his prime.
No one person could convict William Dillon of such a heinous crime. The root of it all was the sheriff’s office. Then it grew to the state prosecutor. Then an ill-will dog handler that worked for the sheriff’s office; there were paid witness, jailhouse snitches, and a bloody T-shirt. All of these things were placed in front of a jury—who then returned a guilty verdict. The judge sentenced William Dillon to life in prison based on all lies. Now the descendants of all of those people and other innocent taxpayers, have to pay William Dillon for the rest of his natural life.
My name is Carissa Chambers, my son, DeShon Rashard Thomas, was 17-years-old, in the 2nd semester of college and working approximately 35 hours a week at Taco Bell—a job that he enjoyed, when he was charged with two counts of 1st Degree Murder. The two victims were his 20-year-old pregnant ex-girlfriend and her 17-year-old brother. Both my son and the female victim were involved in other relationships and were basically looking forward to the birth of the baby. Although my son told me that he wasn’t for sure if he was the father of the unborn baby, we still supported the young woman. My oldest son had just became a father of a baby girl, so when DeShon’s ex-girlfriend called me to inform me that she was pregnant with a girl, I started preserving my new granddaughter’s items. Had my son’s ex-girlfriend lived and had her daughter, my granddaughters would’ve been just about 13 months apart. My two sons would’ve brought the daughters that I never had, by way of granddaughters, into my life. (Pending DNA results of course—my boys will tell you, “Mama ain’t no fool.”) After the murders, the female victim’s current 21-year-old boyfriend (who they shared a history of on again off again dating) told detectives that she told him that he was the father of her unborn baby. This young man, who had recently had dinner with the female victim and her family, wasn’t interviewed by detectives until four days after the victims were found murdered. And that interview took place at his job. As I like to always refer back to information that I was provided with (which is always hard to tell who’s telling the truth) as I’m typing this article I went back to look at what I now know to be an altered copy of the Discovery Report that I received from my son’s former attorney, Gregory Cummings, to verify the date of the young man’s interview—and out popped the wrong date of his birth next to his name. It’s bad enough that as the victim’s boyfriend and possible father of the unborn baby, he never came to the crime scene or to the sheriff’s office to see what had happened or to offer any information. Could it be possible that he gave detectives the wrong date of his birth in order to keep them from immediately finding out that he was on probation and had a felony record—prior drug charges. After all, the victims’ mother owned a Chevy Tahoe and her girlfriend drove a pink BMW. They had separate residences but neither one of them were employed. A year prior to the murders, the victims’ mother took out a police report against this current boyfriend claiming that he’d stolen the license plate to her car. When it comes to reading the Discovery Report in my son’s case, I really can’t distinguish if things that have been said are detectives’ errors or witnesses’ lies. Either way, they don’t support State Prosecutor Jack Campbell’s charges.
I wonder if my son’s former Defense Attorney Gregory Cummings had to take The Florida Bar’s two-pronged test of exam and moral character. In his response to my Florida Bar complaint, he states that he’s been practicing law for over 30 years. He even goes on to boast about how he’s argued cases in front of Judge James Hankinson. When I read that I thought, did he have to mention that—or was there a reason for him to mention that? Has he been so out of touch in my son’s case that he forgot that Judge James Hankinson is the judge presiding over his case? I wondered why didn’t he mention anything about his bread and butter—State Attorney Willie Meggs and State Prosecutor Jack Campbell.
After paying Gregory Cummings $30,000 to defend my son, we (my son and I) still have no knowledge about three key pieces of evidence that the State Prosecutor Jack Campbell claims to support the charges against my son. One–the time of death of the victims; two—my son’s cell phone records–which were immediately sealed; and three—a sworn statement from my son’s co-worker/roommate, 21-year-old Trentin Ross. Just ask yourself, what type of defense attorney with good or even fair moral character, would not have or share these key pieces of evidence with their client– after being on a case for nearly a year and a half (sixteen months)?
In hindsight, Gregory Cummings obtained my son and I by using a cut-throat maneuver to his own colleagues. Gregory Cummings, being a Conflict Attorney with the Conflict Counsel’s office, was well aware that my son and I were waiting for the Conflict Counsel’s office to assign an attorney to my son’s case. I did not have the money to afford a private attorney—which what Gregory Cummings said he could handle my son’s case as—a private attorney. (It would’ve been foolish of me to immediately jump onboard with a private attorney—when I knew that I couldn’t immediately afford one.) With my son sitting in jail for over a month without any contact with an attorney and charges steadily being brought against him, such as Possession of a Firearm by a Juvenile Delinquent, and the Tallahassee Democrat stating that Georgia Cappleman told a Grand Jury that the victims were murdered with my son’s 9mm pistol—and in turn returning an Indictment against my son-I had to do something. Even a buffalo is not going to stand by and let a pack of lions eat their young.
Gregory Cummings again called me. He said, “Ms. Chambers your son needs an attorney, now!” I then agreed to retain him. A couple of days later, we signed a Contract for Service. He didn’t explain anything to me in regards to flat rate fee and an hourly rate fee—none of that is in the contract. Yes, I read where the fix fee of $35,000 retainer fee was non-refundable—but when you pay someone to provide a service and you trust that that person is going to provide that service—then you don’t care about getting your money back—all you want is good, if not excellent service. Imagine yourself signing a contract with a plumber to repair your toilet and it states ‘money for the service is non-refundable’. Who cares? All you want is to not have to deal with your toilet overflowing at 2:30 a.m. after you take your mid-morning tinkle (piss). I was to pay Gregory Cummings a total of $50,000. I was $5000 short of paying Gregory Cummings the total amount of the retainer fee. This was partly due to other family obligations (I’m the guardian of a teenage nephew with special needs and a great-niece born to a mentally disabled mother) and the other part was because I spent so much time running behind Gregory Cummings. I mean there were months on end when neither me nor my son would hear from him. It was a struggle for me to pay him the $1000 a month payment that we agreed upon—but he got it. I just trusted this guy for way too long. (I recently turned 40-years-old. If someone asked me what moment in my life would I drop my head down to in shame–I would say– trusting my 17-year-old son’s life to Gregory Cummings. And this tops a one-time situation when I was a 16-year-old single mom and I was having a hard time finding a babysitter to babysit my 9-month-old son while I went to work. When I called in to work pretending to be sick, my supervisor told me that if I didn’t come in to work that I was going to be fired. Really having no other alternative, I chose to leave my son with a woman who was a known crack addict. She had three small kids of her own that she barely cared for and an unclean apartment. I promised to pay her $20 to keep my son for 10 hours—hoping that the money would motivate her to properly care for my most cherished gift—my son. I remember praying all day for my son’s well being. I prayed the whole time during the city bus ride to work; the whole time while I worked my shift—this was in the late 80’s when in the housing project where I lived, it was considered a luxury to have a home phone—in which she did not have. I then prayed the whole while on the city bus after work. I even prayed while I was knocking on her door to pick my son up. When she opened the door with my son in her arms, he almost looked better than he looked when I left him with people who I trusted the most. I paid her for her services and I never asked her to babysit again. When my son, Robert Chambers, graduated from Florida State University in the spring of 2011—believe me when I tell you—there are no words that can explain how I felt.)
Gregory Cummings also stated in his response to my Florida Bar complaint that I was supposed to pay him the balance and any outstanding costs at trial. He states that he was prepared to go to trial all 4 trial dates that were reset at Pre-trial by State Prosecutor Jack Campbell (3 on the court docket). He complains that I never paid him the balance—well why would I pay him the remaining balance when he’d only seen my son a total of three times, did not hire an investigator or present any kind of legal defense what-so-ever. Gregory Cummings never asked my son anything about the relationship he had with the female victim and her brother. Gregory Cummings couldn’t tell you what type of person Trentin Ross (the state’s key witness) is because he never spoke to anyone who knows Trentin Ross. Trentin Ross and my son worked at Taco Bell together for almost a year. Gregory Cummings never spoke to any employees at Taco Bell about Trentin Ross or my son. So it wasn’t as if Gregory Cummings would’ve had to run all over the city of Tallahassee to gather information–he just was not concerned about communicating with my son.
I’m a seventies baby. After my parent’s divorce in the mid 1970’s, my seven siblings and I spent a short time in a Florida foster care facility. My dad tried to secure a nice lifestyle after his tours in the Vietnam War to include a new wife from Thailand (whom he’s still married too), by getting his seven kids out of foster care and relocating us to Michigan. But from what I can remember, the language barer and close age proximity to my teenage sisters of my dad’s new Thai wife made my dad’s life difficult. Soon we were all living with my mom out in Texas. My mom’s only reliable means of income was the child support that she received from my dad. When my mom relocated us back to Florida, she quickly found herself awaking all seven of her kids up during the wee hours of the morning (weekends only) and dragging us out in the frigid cold to walk to a pick up spot where we all got on a bus with a bunch of strangers to go pick oranges in an orange grove. I was the youngest child so my job was to climb the tree, pick the oranges and drop them down to my sisters (it’s a good thing that I was a tomboy—once the sun came out and warmed up a little—it was kind of fun). I got my first real job when I was 13-years-old at Wendy’s fast-food restaurant. I didn’t use a fake I.D. or anything. I think the manager took a look at my appearance, felt sorry for me and just hired me on the spot. Despite practicing safe sex, I got pregnant when I was 15-years-old. I struggled through high school, because I knew that if I dropped out, I wouldn’t be able to give my son the things that he needed to make ethical gains in his life. I graduated with my class. During 1996, DeShon’s dad and I were 24-years-old. We had custody of six of two of my sisters’ kids because I didn’t want to see them in foster care. All of the kids were under the age of 13. Then DeShon’s dad and I took in his three younger sisters while his mom was called up by her Army Reserve Unit to go do a tour in Somalia. During this time I was not only running my household—I was in college to become a paralegal and working.
A lot has changed in my life since then, but one thing that didn’t change is my work ethic. I didn’t finish college but I went to a technical school and got a Certificate in Business Software Technology. No matter where I worked, a lot of my colleagues thought that I had a full college education. It’s not because I’m so smart–it’s because no matter where I worked, I was always open minded and treated people with respect. So when Gregory Cummings discusses the financial part of our contract—it’s crazy for him to make it sound as if I wanted services from him without wanting to pay him. It’s crazy for him to think that I while I was paying him the money–he didn’t need to explain any type of accounting or information to my son and me about all things happening or not happening. It’s crazy for him to think that it’s ok to let State Prosecutor Jack Campbell keep asking for a Continuance at Pre-trial–and not Object to it–even if it was “Just for the Record.” Where was his defense? What I learned about Gregory Cummings is— he’s gotten so used to riding off of the State of Florida’s money and being spoon fed cases by the Conflict Counsel’s Office that he’s forgotten what it was like to actually work for his money. That’s probably why he doesn’t have a paralegal. Why would he have a paralegal when he can get the clerks at the Leon County Clerk of Courts to provide you with everything—no money out of his pockets.
The latest charge against my son, Solicitation to Commit Murder—against Trentin Ross—was none other than a curve ball thrown by the State Attorney’s office to buy time and try to get something to stick to my son. This charge came a week after Gregory Cummings learned about my complaint to The Florida Bar. According to the Probable Cause Report in this case, they started investigating my son in late June. Now how ironic is it that after I’d sent an email dated 6-22-12 to Gregory Cummings asking that because of me being a witness–can I be allowed to be present in the courtroom the entire time of the trial (in which Casey Anthony’s parents were allowed to be) and asking for a time for us to sit down and go over questions that must be asked to Trentin Ross in order to make sure that my son can answer the judge truthfully when at the end of his trial—the judge asks him how he feels about his representation and if all the questions asked to the witnesses were relevant questions in regard to his case (in which was asked by the judge at the end of Florida vs. Adam Kaufman case). Gregory Cummings had no problem asking me for question to ask the victims’ mother, but is offended by me wanting to offer up questions to ask State Prosecutor Jack Campbell. Gregory Cummings took that information in my email and shared it with State Prosecutor Jack Campbell. My son was immediately placed in solitary confinement. He’s been in solitary confinement now for 133 days. He’s been unable to have visitors and unable to make phone calls. They don’t want me to advice my son—that’s why they don’t want him to have visitors. My oldest son and I were the only people going to see my son—no one else. People placed in solitary confinement are not automatically stripped from having visitors or making phone calls.
My son and I would like for the 2nd District State Attorney and the Leon County Sheriff’s office to admit that they made a mistake in their haste to charge my son with the murders, but… State Prosecutor Jack Campbell seems to want to take his chances with putting a Fired former lead detective, Don Odham on the witness stand. Former Detective Don Odham was a disgrace to the badge (those aren’t my words—they’re his colleagues—I heard that they had an office party after he was Fired—I guess when your wife is a vice president, such as Former Detective Don Odham’s, you’ll have plenty of “Fake Friends” as long as you can provide them with services). When Former Detective Don Odham takes the witness stand, he’s going to have to explain what makes him qualified to have been the lead detective over a double homicide case. He’s going to have to remember the lies that he told. He’s going to have to decide which of the three different statements to use that he and only he took from Trentin Ross. Former Detective Don Odham stated that Trentin Ross told him that he drove my son to the victims’ residence, witnessed the murders from a far and then drove my son away from the crime scene. Former Detective Odham is going to be asked why Trentin Ross has not been charged in this double murder—considering he was a party to it. Former Detective Don Odham is going to have to answer so many questions—the public will see and hear why I’ve been scratching my head for nearly two years.
To my knowledge, Gregory Cummings didn’t take Former Detective Don Odham’s deposition. He didn’t tell me or my son that Detective Don Odham had been fired. (What kind of attorney doesn’t tell his 17-year-old client or his mother–that five months after being charged with 2 counts of 1st Degree murder and facing a life sentence in prison—that the only lead detective that lied to make it happen, has been Fired from the sheriff’s office for criminal behavior.) Gregory Cummings severely lack of communication cost my son and me—a “Hallelujah Moment.” The first night that my son and I walked into the Leon County Sheriff’s office—we stepped in there pure in heart. Immediately, Detective Don Odham did all but spit on us. When Detective Don Odham kicked me out of the sheriff’s office—forcing me to leave my son behind, this maniac was screaming and yelling at me the whole time as he escorted me from upstairs to the front door exit of the sheriff’s office. I warned him about his actions. I told him that my Father God watches over my family and to mistreat us was going to cost him. (We may all be sinners, but God has his chosen few.) How obvious—Detective Don Odham gets kicked out of the same building he kicked me out of. Now that Former Detective Don Odham no longer works for the Leon County Sheriff’s office, maybe in preparation for my son’s trial, he’s been spending all of his free time by catching up on episodes of In the Heat of the Night.
My son currently has an attorney that has been appointed to him by the Conflict Counsel’s Office. His name is Samuel Olmstead. Mr. Olmstead was court appointed to take over my son’s case shortly after my son Fired Gregory Cummings. After Mr. Olmstead took over my son’s case, it took him more than two months to meet with him. During the two months, I’d called Mr. Olmstead several times and left messages for him to call me—to no avail. I’m not surprised. I attended my son’s court management hearing in this past November hoping to meet with Mr. Olmstead (it was the 3rd court date that my son had—in which Mr. Olmstead had not been in court). Low and behold, Mr. Olmstead was not in court and Judge James Hankinson Continued about 10 or 12 of Mr. Olmstead’s cases. I wanted to get up and speak to Judge Hankinson about Mr. Olmstead’s lack of court appearances and contact with my son. But now that my son is in adult court, I humbly accept that that’s not something that I can do. But my Father can. Fortunately, there was this young lady who was a client of Mr. Olmstead’s. This young lady stood in front of Judge Hankinson, despite him telling her that no matter what she said, there was nothing that he could do, it didn’t stop her. This young lady told him every single word that I would’ve said in regards to Mr. Olmstead not being available to my son. Judge Hankinson non-chalantly responded to her by telling her that she would have to complain to his supervisor. But his response gave me some insight as to what type of judge he is. According to court documents that I’ve had an attorney view—Mr. Samuel Olmstead Conflicted off of my son’s case back in March 2011. So we’ll see what’s going on with him now.
My son and I can’t seem to cut a break in Tallahassee. When I come out of my pockets and pay an attorney for representation—we nearly get screwed. When I leave it up to the court system to appoint an attorney—we don’t know what’s going on. People say that mothers are naïve to their children’s behavior; I’m learning that I’m naïve to the people that I trust to do the right thing by my child.
I currently have a private attorney on standby in the Central Florida area (where my family and I now live). I’m working hard to get up the money to afford him/her. If anyone would like to donate money to my son’s legal defense, please go to http://maul10.com click on DeShon’s Corner and click the donate button. Thank you in advance for your donation.

No matter what type of legal case a person may find themselves a party to, a financial discussion will usually take place during the first meeting. When I first met Mr. Gregory Cummings it was in a back office at a bondsman’s office (Mr. Cummings complained about the surroundings, yet he chose for us to met there). The only thing that I knew about Mr. Cummings was that he’d represented murder suspect Danielo Bradshaw during the Rachel Hoffman Murder Trial. I didn’t know as to what capacity he’d represented Danielo Bradshaw under, but I knew Mr. Bradshaw wasn’t the actual triggerman and received a life sentence. In no way did I judge Mr. Cummings on his representation of Mr. Bradshaw. Personally, I didn’t know enough about Mr. Bradshaw’s involvement to have an opinion on his sentencing. Furthermore, most of what I learned about Mr. Cummings and his handling of Mr. Bradshaw’s case came from Mr. Cummings himself. Mr. Cummings told me that he was Mr. Bradshaw’s Court Appointed Attorney. At that time my only knowledge of Court Appointed Attorneys fell under Public Defender. So Mr. Cummings was nice enough to explain to me the difference between a Public Defender and an attorney working out of the Conflict Counsel’s Office. In summary, they’re basically the same—they’re both paid out of taxpayer’s dollars. One particular event that Mr. Cummings discussed in regards to Mr. Bradshaw’s case was how he (Mr. Cummings) and a private investigator that was assisting him on the case took a trip down to the U.S. Virgin Islands to interview Mr. Bradshaw’s grandmother. Mr. Cummings seemed to gloat about the travel and the time he and the private investigator spent down there. He never did mention what Mr. Bradshaw’s grandmother had to say.

Now you must know that one of the reasons why I hired Mr. Cummings was because he (Mr. Cummings) told me that although he could not take my son’s case through the Conflict Counsel’s Office, he could file Indigence on my son’s behalf. He specifically stated that the reason why he worked alone (no paralegal) was because he knew how to file the necessary paperwork himself in order to get the State to cover some of his costs. Clearly, Mr. Cummings didn’t want me to believe that he and the private investigator financed their trip to the U.S. Virgin Islands out of their generosity and determination to help Mr. Bradshaw. So the question is who financed the trip? And what was the purpose for the trip? I don’t think that it takes a “rocket scientist” to know who financed the trip. I do know that Danielo Bradshaw’s grandmother was not a “key witness” in the murder case. I learned through a close source that Mr. Cummings did use Mr. Bradshaw’s grandmother’s statement as a character witness’ statement. However, as taxpayer’s we know that a trip to the U.S. Virgin Islands by a Court Appointed Attorney to obtain a statement for the purpose of a murder suspect’s character is not a justifiable expense—especially if it was on our (taxpayers) dime.

Mr. Cummings was on my son’s case for a year and four months; I paid him approximately $32,000. He did not bother to hire a private investigator. He did not travel the short distance to the Daytona Beach area to take Trentin Ross’ deposition (Trentin Ross is the person that the Assistant State Attorney/Jack Campbell is calling their “key witness’”). Mr. Cummings did not bother to set up a teleconference or a video conference for a deposition. It’s not secret and I will tell anyone that the State of Florida’s pockets are way deeper than mine. I can’t afford to pay for myself to fly to the U.S. Virgin Islands, let alone an attorney and a private investigator. Mr. Cummings spending as a Court Appointed Attorney extremely surpasses what I had to offer as a private client. When placed on a scale, Mr. Cummings past, present, and future cases that come directly out of the State Attorney’s Office or Conflict Counsel’s Office outweighed the injustice that State Attorney/Prosecutor Jack Campbell was/is striving to serve a 17-year-old child.

Danielo Bradshaw’s case was just one case. God knows how many other cases have passed through the Leon County Courthouse whereas taxpayers paid for “Perks” associated with the case.

First things first—in this article dated 12/18/2011 http://tallahasseeo.com/2011/12/18/a-letter-from-our-reader-carissa-chambers-regarding-corruption-of-leon-county-sheriff-larry-campbell/ I stated that my son, DeShon Rashard Thomas, was “Neutral” about his ex-girlfriend, Laqecia Herring (deceased) being pregnant with his child. It was the LEON COUNTY SHERIFF’S DETECTIVES—NOT Laqecia Herring and Sterling Conner Jr’s FAMILY MEMBERS who assumed that there was hostility between my son and Ms. Herring. According to reports, this BOLDFACED LIE about the VICTIMS FAMILY MEMBERS stating that there was hostility between DeShon Thomas and Laqecia Herring was presented to judges, the media, and the Grand Jury which led to signatures on search warrants, arrest warrants, and an indictment by the Grand jury.

With friends like Assistant State Attorney Jack Campbell, who needs enemies?

After my son was charged with 2 counts of 1st Degree Murder, he sat in jail for over 30 days without a public defender. I called and visited the Public Defender’s office on several occasions trying to find out what public defender was assigned to my son’s case. Each time I was told that it was still in the Conflict Counsel’s Office and had not yet been assigned to anyone. Acting on a referral, I met and eventually retained Mr. Gregory Cummings on March 12, 2011 to represent my son. According to the Docket Report on Case Process, the public defender who was assigned my son’s case– name doesn’t appear until March 21, 2011. He then withdraws from the case on March 23, 2011. Coincidence or… Oh it gets deeper, but I’m going to leave that part right there for now.

Fast forward to July 18, 2012, I finally “smelled” the stink with my son’s attorney and I told him to fire him. I’ll also leave that right there for now.

Now as far as Assistant State Attorney Jack Campbell and my son’s ex-attorney, (shaking my head). My son’s trial date has been reset 3 or more times in 2012—all State’s Motion for Continuance. What defense attorney who tells his client and his client’s family that he’s prepared to go to trial– allows his client to catch another charge, especially a charge such as Conspiracy to Commit Murder against a witness. That Conspiracy to Commit Murder charge against my son alone just super strengthened my complaint. When I hired this attorney to represent my 17-year-old son on two counts of 1st Degree Murder, I thought that he’d at least hire a private investigator, interview some character witnesses, verbally open up the Discovery Report more with my son—you know build a strong defense case or at least act like it. Because as an experienced attorney, he should know that a 17-year-old won’t know exactly what he’d be reading if the Discovery Report was handed to him. Oops!!! That’s where I came into play at. Well, at least up until I told my son to fire his attorney. So now Assistant State Attorney Jack Campbell throws my son’s ex-attorney under the bus. Then he keeps it in the family with his dad Sheriff Larry Campbell, by preventing me (my son’s only source of real truth and BS detector) from visiting him. So now my son who is now 19-years-old has no way of contacting me or anyone else as far as learning who’s his new attorney. On Friday when my son called me to tell me about this Conspiracy charge, when I mention the words “the attorney that I spoke with”, the phone went dead. My son didn’t call me back. Since my son has fired his attorney (shaking my head), he’s been charged with Conspiracy to Commit Murder against a witness, placed in confinement (where he can’t receive any visits from anyone other than an attorney. The majority of his family lives over 300 miles away). I mean seriously, what next? Whose idea was it to tell wctv.tv to leave my son’s mug shot up on their website for 2 days? Whoever, recommended it to wctv.tv, please tell wctv.tv to post the original Probable Cause Report for the 2 counts of 1st Degree Murder charges that is dated February 7, 2011. For whatever reason, wctv.tv started posting the Probable Cause Reports online a month or so after February. Will you please ask them if they can retro back?

Tallahassee citizens, this is why you all need to dismantle this “jagged, Good Ol Boy Network”. The Leon County Sheriff’s Office and the State Attorney’s Office will maliciously and childishly go after you and/or your loved one if you don’t go along with what they want you to do. And from what I’ve been reading on the TallahasseeO, it doesn’t matter if you’re an inmate, a Leon County Sheriff’s employee, a State Attorney’s employee or just an ordinary citizen, if you don’t do as you’re told by y’all “Daddy”, then you’re doomed. And, and– generations of your relatives behind you are doomed. Black and white people were slaves. We’re all too good to have to deal with this crap! I don’t live in Tallahassee anymore, but as far as I’m concerned, this Good Ol Boy Network will ‘PUT Y’ALL BACK IN CHAINS’ (in my Vice President Joe Biden voice)

DEMOCRATS VOTE OUTSIDE THE BOX—VOTE FOR LISA SPRAGUE!!! IT’S NOT ABOUT PARTY AFFILIATION—IT’S ALL ABOUT WHO IS GOING TO DO THE RIGHT THING!!!

HIDE:
In April 2012, Attorney David Chester of Tallahassee filed a lawsuit against Sheriff Larry Campbell and Sgt. Brian Pearson. The lawsuit alleges that Sgt. Pearson, the lead detective in the shooting death of David Mays, kept a “secret” file on the Mays investigation. The “secret file” was to have included personal case notes and other documents. It was reported that after receiving a public-records request, Sgt. Pearson ran the materials, including compact discs through a paper shredder. All and all, at the time of the request—nothing was handed over.

GO—SEEK :
David Chester’s lawsuit was covered by Circuit Judge Kevin J. Carroll, who issued an order of the Sheriff’s Office to show cause as to why the requests in the lawsuit should not be granted. The judge gave them 60 days to comply.

HIDE:
On February 7, 2011, my 17-year-old son, DeShon Thomas was charged with 2 counts of 1st Degree Premeditated Murder (narrowly missing a 3rd count of murder because the female victim in this case (his 20-year-old ex-girlfriend) was about 21 weeks pregnant at the time). Through interviews of people close to the victims, eyewitness accounts, my son’s employer (alibis), law enforcement officer’s statements and other crucial information—the victims’ time of death is essential to this case. My son, who is now 18-years-old, has been in the Leon County Jail for approximately 458 days. From day one, I’d always inquired about the time of death of the victims. Only to be told that the 2 victims autopsy reports are “confidential” information.

Not long after George Zimmerman’s arrest for the shooting death of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin, Discovery documents, including his autopsy report, were released to the public. Soon Trayvon Martin’s Autopsy Report was all over the Internet and on the front page of newspapers. Seeing all of this reignited the fact that I still did not know what the time of death was of the victims in my son’s case. Now, I wanted to know how to go about getting a copy of the victims’ autopsy report.

SEEK:
I called the Leon County Clerk of Courts—they did not have it. They referred me to the State Attorney’s Office. Well, to me—that’s like a woman asking an abusive husband to put a steak over the black eye that he gave her. I was reluctant to call the State Attorney’s Office. Instead I called the District Two Medical Examiner’s Office. The person whom I spoke with over the phone was very, very nice and helpful. The person told me that I could in fact get a copy of the victims’ autopsy report but only after their case is closed. Huh–? The person told me that the case status showed “on-going investigation”. I explained that there had been an arrest in the case. I asked why does it say that it’s an “on-going investigation”? Unfortunately, the person couldn’t answer that question. However, the person was able to answer a few of my questions successfully. But in the end, I was referred back to the State Attorney’s Office. I called the State Attorney’s Office being vague but also letting them know what I was looking for in the Discovery. I felt like I would be more successful if I just put in the request in person. When I arrived in Tallahassee, the second place I went was to the courthouse. Yes—I went to the State Attorney’s Office. I explained to the woman what I was looking for—a copy of the Medical Examiner’s Report. She pulled the victims information up on the computer. She seemed to be stunned to see that although there was an arrest on the case, the status of the case stated “on-going investigation”. When I asked her who was responsible for closing investigations so that these records can be accessed by the public, she told me that the secretaries were responsible for closing the case. Then she told me that, if I wanted to know why the case had not been closed, then I needed to speak with Jack Campbell—not his secretary. She told me that he was the only one who could tell me—why the case has not been closed. She then pointed out the directions to his office. I didn’t bother to go to his office. Simply because they seem to have sealed my son’s cell phone records and now they’ve left this case file open so that no one can access their autopsy report.

Hide-and-Go-Seek 101—players conceal themselves in the environment, to be found by one or more seekers.

I can’t begin to imagine how many other cases are out there fighting really hard for access to public records.