Herman Thomas Defense Team Begins

When former Circuit Court Judge Herman Thomas' attorneys begins calling witnesses Tuesday afternoon, there were 21 fewer charges to defend against.

Tuesday morning, Judge Claud Neilson dismissed three entire cases after prosecutors announced they would not call any witnesses or produce any evidence in the cases. Chief Assistant District Attorney Nicki Patterson told reporters one of the accusers was "missing," and the remaining two would only testify about more whipping and not sexual abuse. Patterson said after eight days of testimony if jurors don't believe Thomas whipped the accusers, "two more accusers won't make a difference."

Neilson also dismissed the only two remaining ethics charges, saying based on testimony during the trial he believed the violations occurred outside the four year statute of limitations. The judge also reduced one of
the sodomy charges to attempted sodomy.

The prosecution rested it's case after Neilson decided not to allow testimony from a psychologist who specializes in sex abuse and sexual fetishes. Former District Attorney Chris Galanos, who is working with Thomas' defense team, argued the testimony should not be allowed because the doctor had not examined any of the accusers or the defendant. Neilson agreed.

Jurors, who were dismissed from the courtroom while attorneys argued over the charges and the doctor's testimony, will return at 2 p.m. when defense attorney Jeff Deen calls the defense's first witness.

Thomas faces 52 felony charges involving eleven alleged victims.