The defendant in the first Columbus County murder in 2022 will serve life in prison without parole after he was found guilty in Superior Court.
Lawrence Thomas, 73, was pronounced guilty today (Friday) by a jury.
Thomas has been behind bars March 2022. In January of that year, Thomas shot and killed Hazel Leach, 28, with whom he had a relationship, according to the sheriff’s office. The CCSO said Thomas allow the woman to stay at his home on MacMillan Road, while he lived in Elizabethtown.
The same night, Clinton Police spotted Thomas driving 85 in a 55 mile per hour work zone. Clinton Police said he struck at least three vehicles before he was stopped. Thomas was charged with driving while license revoked with a DWI rider; speeding; felony fleeing to elude arrest and reckless driving. His vehicle was seized and he was released on bond. Columbus detectives learned of his arrest after he had been released. Elizabethtown Police were asked to look for Thomas.
Thomas was arrested at 511 Newkirk St., Elizabethtown on March 4, 2022. Detectives executed a search warrant on his home and discovered “evidence relating to the homicide,” according to a press release.
Court documents show that in 2022, a psychiatrist hired by the defense diagnosed Thomas as being incapable of standing trial. A hearing was held in March 2023, and then-Superior Court Judge Douglas Sasser ruled Thomas could stand trial and ordered him to Cherry Hospital in Goldsboro for treatment and “restoration”, because he was charged with murder. Court document show Cherry Hospital staff told court officials that Thomas was uncooperative and incapable of accepting treatment. He was committed to Central Regional Hospital in Butner to be evaluated again in 2025 and found competent for trial.
Thomas was represented by J.B. Lee. Jenna Earley prosecuted the case. Special Superior Court Judge George Hicks presided.
