Gang Member Sentenced To Life In Prison Without Parole For Murder

A Palm Springs gang member was sentenced today to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the fatal beating and robbery of a 66-year-old security guard.

Jamar Thomas, 21, was found guilty in April of first-degree murder and other charges stemming from the June 9, 2007, attack on Bower Security Co. guard Wallace Brown near Rosa Parks Road and El Dorado Boulevard.

The jury that convicted Thomas spared him the death penalty, deciding instead that he should spend his life in prison. Judge James Hawkins formalized the panel’s recommendation.

Thomas looked back at family members one last time before being led from the courtroom. His attorney, John Hemmer, plans to file an appeal later this afternoon.

“I am still very happy the jury didn’t go for the death penalty,” the defense attorney said.

The victim’s family did not attend the hearing.

Deputy District Attorney Manny Bustamante said he could not comment on the sentence because of the pending trial of Thomas’ co-defendant, Darius Lee, who faces the death penalty if convicted. Lee’s trial is expected to begin Monday.

Another co-defendant, 20-year-old Jerrett Lewis, was convicted in May of first-degree murder and is awaiting sentencing. Lewis was a juvenile at the time of the crime and faces life behind bars without the possibility of parole.

Murder and other charges were dismissed against a fourth co-defendant, Akil Williams, when a judge ruled there was not enough evidence to hand his case over to a jury.

Prosecutors allege the four — dressed in the colors of the Gateway Posse Crips street gang — hurled rocks at Brown’s van, shattering the windows, before pulling the guard from the vehicle and beating him for his wallet and cell phone.

Brown, a onetime Marine, died at a hospital three days later without regaining consciousness.

Thomas’ attorneys contended there was no forensic evidence that he was involved in the beating.