DNYUZ
  • Home
  • News
    • U.S.
    • World
    • Politics
    • Opinion
    • Business
    • Crime
    • Education
    • Environment
    • Science
  • Entertainment
    • Culture
    • Music
    • Movie
    • Television
    • Theater
    • Gaming
    • Sports
  • Tech
    • Apps
    • Autos
    • Gear
    • Mobile
    • Startup
  • Lifestyle
    • Arts
    • Fashion
    • Food
    • Health
    • Travel
No Result
View All Result
DNYUZ
No Result
View All Result
Home News Crime

Shocking moment judge announces wrong verdict in murder trial: ‘Didn’t I say ‘not’?’

August 21, 2025
in Crime, News
Shocking moment judge announces wrong verdict in murder trial: ‘Didn’t I say ‘not’?’
501
SHARES
1.4k
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

A judge in Atlanta left a courtroom gasping after he mistakenly delivered a devastating “guilty” verdict for a man charged with murdering a police officer — when the defendant was found “not guilty” on all counts.

Judge Henry M. Newkirk on Friday botched the climax of the week-long murder trial of Alton Oliver, who was accused of fatally shooting off-duty Fulton County Deputy James Thomas in Dec. 2022.

After nine hours of deliberation, the jury found Oliver innocent — but Newkirk left out a critical word, Fox 5 reported.

The judge made the snafu while delivering a murder trial verdict on Friday.
The judge made the snafu while delivering a verdict on Friday at the conclusion of a week-long murder trial. FOX 5 Atlanta

“We, the jury, find the defendant guilty as to all six counts with the bill of indictment. Sheriff, will you please hand this to the state’s counsel and pass it over to–” Newkirk told the court before he was interrupted by several baffled jurors who had just decided the verdict.

The judge appeared shocked by the reaction, the video shows.

“Didn’t I say ‘not’?” he asked.

“No,” multiple people in the courtroom responded.

“Sorry,” Newkirk said. “We, the jury, find the defendant not guilty.”

Alton Oliver
Alton Oliver was acquitted in the murder of Deputy James Thomas Jr. FOX 5 Atlanta

Oliver, 26, was walking home from work around 4:30 a.m. when Thomas, who was not on duty, approached him three different times in his personal car and aggressively offered him a ride home and then demanded sex.

“Mr. Thomas come back a second time, he comes back with the headlights off,” Oliver told the court. “He blurts out, saying, ‘Get in, get in, let me give you a ride. Let me suck your d–k.’”

When Thomas pulled around a third time, Oliver “got spooked” and opened fire, he said, according to Fox 5 Atlanta.

The defense successfully argued that the shooting was self-defense. 

Deputy James Thomas Jr.
Deputy James Thomas Jr. was shot and killed by Alton after propositioning him for sex. FOX 5 Atlanta

Oliver, 26, was acquitted on six counts — including murder, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, first-degree criminal damage to property, and possession of a firearm while committing a crime.

The post Shocking moment judge announces wrong verdict in murder trial: ‘Didn’t I say ‘not’?’ appeared first on New York Post.

Tags: CourtsCrimejudgesTrialsverdicts
Share200Tweet125Share
Vance to meet with Duffy, aviation leaders as shutdown ‘gravely’ impacts crucial industry
News

Vance to meet with Duffy, aviation leaders as shutdown ‘gravely’ impacts crucial industry

by Fox News
October 30, 2025

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! FIRST ON FOX: Another aviation-related union is demanding lawmakers reopen the government ...

Read more
News

US-China dysfunction overshadows APEC summit

October 30, 2025
Food

SNAP funding is set to lapse on Nov. 1. Here’s what to know.

October 30, 2025
News

Update: Wer folgt nach Sahra Wagenknecht im BSW?

October 30, 2025
News

Mom boards school bus, threatens student, curses out bus driver — then repeats scene at HS, cops say. It ends badly for her.

October 30, 2025
As a sommelier, there are 5 wines I always have on hand for guests

As a sommelier, there are 5 wines I always have on hand for guests

October 30, 2025
Mamdani Holds Onto Strong Lead in Two New Polls Ahead of Election Day

Mamdani Holds Onto Strong Lead in 2 New Polls Ahead of Election Day

October 30, 2025
Hurricane Melissa Is So Powerful, Hurricane Hunter Planes Had To Turn Back

Hurricane Melissa Is So Powerful, Hurricane Hunter Planes Had To Turn Back

October 30, 2025

Copyright © 2025.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • U.S.
    • World
    • Politics
    • Opinion
    • Business
    • Crime
    • Education
    • Environment
    • Science
  • Entertainment
    • Culture
    • Gaming
    • Music
    • Movie
    • Sports
    • Television
    • Theater
  • Tech
    • Apps
    • Autos
    • Gear
    • Mobile
    • Startup
  • Lifestyle
    • Arts
    • Fashion
    • Food
    • Health
    • Travel

Copyright © 2025.