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A mistrial has been declared in the first degree murder case of Xavier Thomas. Special Superior Court Judge Jessica Locklear declared the mistrial this morning (Tuesday) after the jury reported being hopelessly deadlocked. Jury selection began in January, and was delayed briefly due to the winter storm. The trial lasted three weeks. Thomas was charged in the shooting death of Julian Fipps in January 2023. The deadlock came...
A mistrial has been declared in the first degree murder case of Xavier Thomas. Special Superior Court Judge Jessica Locklear declared the mistrial this morning (Tuesday) after the jury reported being hopelessly deadlocked. The deadlock came after four days of deliberations and multiple notes from the jury. One juror was replaced with an alternate Monday. Thomas will remain in jail under no bond pending a new trial. Locklear...
Illegal dumping on Big Island Road has caught the attention of the sheriff’s office. “The Columbus County Sheriff’s Office has received multiple complaints regarding illegal littering and dumping along Big Island Road in the Old Dock Community,” CCSO said in a press release. “Trash has been unlawfully discarded on both private property and along the public roadway. “Illegal dumping not only damages private property but also creates safety...