Chester County, PA – A man who was freed after being wrongfully convicted and spending 24 years in jail has committed a drug-related crime.
In 1992, Shaurn Thomas (now 50 years old) was sentenced to life imprisonment for the 1990 robbery and murder of a North Philadelphia businessman.
In 2017, a judge overturned his conviction after identifying significant issues with the investigation and interrogation tactics used by the police. Shaurn was subsequently released and awarded $4.1 million for the crime he did not commit.
The Pennsylvania Innocence Project played a key role in securing his release, stating that Shaurn was nowhere near the scene of the murder.
This past week, Shaurn Thomas pleaded guilty to a murder that occurred in January 2023.
Reports indicate that Shaurn shot and killed 38-year-old Akeem Edwards over a $1,200 drug debt.
Akeem was a friend of Shaurn’s girlfriend, and Shaurn had provided cocaine worth $1,200 to Akeem. The altercation reportedly arose after Akeem failed to repay the debt. This incident has left the legal community and observers shocked, as it jeopardizes the security and reputation Shaurn gained following his exoneration.
After shooting Akeem, Shaurn reportedly told his girlfriend, Ketra Veasy, that it was his “third homicide” and that “he can’t go back to jail.” He then warned her to remain silent about the killing “or else.”
Both Thomas and Veasy were subsequently charged with murder. Veasy later cooperated with investigators and testified against Thomas in exchange for less severe charges. She has pleaded guilty to aggravated assault and conspiracy and is awaiting sentencing.
