MOBILE, Alabama — The judge has dismissed all kidnapping and extortion charges against Herman Thomas, a former judge who’s on trial for a number of sex abuse charges which occurred while he was on the bench. That leaves a total of 23 charges including sex abuse, sodomy, attempted sodomy and assault.

from www.wkrg.com 1:45 p.m.
– The defense rested its case without Herman Thomas testifying. “Cowboy Bob” Clark said there was no reason to call Thomas because his accusers were not believable.

– Prosecutor Nicki Patterson said she was “a little surprised” by Thomas not testifying. She said many people thought of Thomas as a community leader until his other side began to come out and he resigned.
– Closing arguments are scheduled to begin tomorrow at 9:00 a.m.
– The jury is expected to get the case after lunch.

11:45 a.m.
Testimony continued in the sex trial involving former Circuit Court Judge Herman Thomas.

Thomas’ wife, Linda, and twin teenage daughters listened in the courtroom as defense attorneys called several witnesses to testify about Thomas’ character and reputation in the community.

Benjamin Harris, former Blount High School head football coach, was among the first to testify, saying Thomas tries “to help the kids stay in school and keep them off the streets.” Harris testified he asked the former judge to speak to his students at least twice.

Another witness, Angela Shine, testified she and Thomas have been long-time friends since they were classmates at Booker T. Washington Middle School and Toulminville High School. Shine says she and Thomas have remained close friends. During her testimony, she told jurors about a phone call from one of the accusers, who was also friends with her nephew. Shine said the accuser told her he was about to “sing like a canary” during his Grand Jury testimony. Shine could not recall the approximate date of the phone, but said the accuser told her he would “tell them whatever they wanted to hear.”

On cross examination, Chief Assistant District Attorney Nicki Patterson questioned Shine about the date of the call. Shine insisted she could not remember the year but said she believed it was recent. Patterson then told Shine the accuser was never brought in to testify to the Mobile County Special Session of the Grand Jury that indicted Thomas in March of this year. Patterson showed the witness a transcript of testimony from the federal Grand Jury where the accuser testified in 2006. “He did sing like a canary,” said Patterson, who then pointed out that the testimony was before the allegations against Thomas were reported in the news media.

Shine, who was questioned on the witness stand longer than any of Wednesday’s other witnesses, admitted Thomas paddled her nephew, who was in and out of jail on drug charges. Shine testified she and her mother asked Thomas to intervene with her troubled nephew. She said they did not specifically ask Thomas to paddle him and does not remember who suggested the paddling, but she testified they gave him permission.

Patterson then asked Shine if (named accuser) testified that he too was whipped by Thomas would she have any reason to believe it did not happen? Shine sat quietly and did not respond. Patterson responded, “no further questions.”

Defense attorney Bob Clark said Wednesday morning he planned to rest their case this afternoon.

Herman Thomas is facing 52 felony charges including sodomy, sex abuse, extortion and kidnapping.