Wilson, Thomas receive life sentences

Nine months after an Evangeline Parish jury found Hilton Wilson and Reokinski Thomas guilty of first degree murder and attempted first degree murder, the two Ville Platte men appeared before Judge Chuck West to be sentenced.
After receiving and reviewing Wilson’s and Thomas’s pre-sentencing investigation report, which sheds light on a defendant’s past criminal record, the judge was ready to sentence each defendant.
For the crime of first degree murder of Joseph John, Wilson and Thomas both received life in prison, which is required by law for anyone convicted of first degree murder in Louisiana.
For the crime of attempted first degree murder of Derrick John, the judge sentenced Wilson, who was being represented by attorney Roy Richard, to 40 years of hard labor and Thomas, who was being represented by Richard Spears, to 25 years of hard labor.
Wilson received more years for the attempted murder charge due to the fact that his pre-sentencing investigation revealed that Wilson had an extensive criminal record, was a third time felony offender, and had committed a crime of violence. Thomas’s report revealed that he also had a long history as a criminal offender and had committed a crime of violence, but he was only a first time felony offender.
Wilson’s and Thomas’s sentences will run concurrently and both individuals will receive credit for time served.