Thompson

Opening statements were heard Tuesday in the 2009 case of a Lowndes County man accused of murdering his girlfriend’s 2-year-old daughter.

At 10 a.m., Assistant Southern District Attorney Laura Wood opened by presenting the state’s side in the case against Brandon Lee Thompson who is charged in the death of 2-year-old Abriana Thomas.

On the evening of Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2009, emergency-medical services were dispatched to the 5200 block of Sequani Circle in Lake Park to find the toddler unresponsive and lying on the dining room table.

The defense team representing Thompson consisted of attorney Katherine Gonos with the Langdale-Vallotton firm, attorneys Converse Bright and Byron Watson. Gonos’ opening statement claimed authorities did not collect enough evidence to convict her client of the charges he faces beyond a shadow of doubt.

On Oct. 7, 2009, Thompson was arrested and charged with one count of cruelty towards children and one count felony murder.  With Southern Circuit Judge Richard Cowart presiding over the case, the state called its witnesses. These witnesses included the victim’s mother Amanda Alling, an 8-year-old son belonging to the defendant and an inmate who once shared space with the defendant at the Lowndes County Jail.

While on the stand, Alling testified to the events of that day as she remembered them.

“Brandon came home and forgot to pick up charcoal so we could grill out,” Alling said while appearing despondent and having a worn, lifeless look on her face. She slumped forward in her chair. She continued her story with several details including going to the store with Abriana in tow to purchase the charcoal.

When she returned, it was too late to start grilling so Thompson ordered pizza instead. Alling said she was headed out the door to pick up the food when Abriana had to go potty. The mother announced to Thompson and the three older children to help the toddler as she whipped out the door to pick up the pizzas with Thompson’s then-2-year-old son. Thompson and Alling were residing at the residence together with Thompson’s two sons and Allings three daughters.

“When I got back,” the mother said, “ I saw Brandon standing over the table and Abriana’s legs hanging off. He was on the phone with 911, and I started asking what happened and kept telling Abriana, mommy was there.”

The state played the 911 audio recording. The conversation between a desperate Thompson and the dispatcher was heard by the jury of 14 (two of whom are alternates). The courtroom was silent. The defendant made very little movement as the recording played. The biological father of Abriana sat quietly and glanced several times at the defendant while moving his body position from arms folded to sitting forward, resting his arms on his legs.

Other testimony and cross examination included that of inmate Reginald Gentry. Gentry was being held on non-related charges and said the defendant approached him in jail “out of the blue one day.” The inmate said he did not know who Thompson was nor had he seen any news stories referring to the case.

“He approached me with a look of a guilty conscience, like he had something troubling on his mind,” Gentry said in front of a semi-empty court room.

“He told me he pushed a little girl down too hard but told the police she fell in the bathroom (on her own) and killed herself.”

Gentry then said he called detectives to tell what he had been told and was able to point out Thompson in the mugshot line up. When asked if he could point out the suspect in the court room, Gentry could not. Time had passed and Thompson’s characteristics (body weight and hair) have changed over time.

Thompson continues to stand on his innocence as he did back in September of 2009. His trial is set to resume 9 a.m. today.