- January 21, 2025
-
-
Loading
Loading
Johnnie Thomas Jr., 26, has pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the Sept. 2017 killing of Bunnell resident Robert Lee Emanuel Sr., 60.
He had been charged with second degree murder. Thomas, a resident of Espanola Road in Bunnell, faces 15-25 years in prison and will be sentenced in a hearing before Circuit Judge Terence Perkins at 8:30 a.m. Dec. 13.
Bunnell police had arrived to Emanuel's home in the Palm Terrace community on Sept. 15, 2017, and found Emanual seated in his living room with head trauma: He had a large bump and cut on his forehead, and had trouble speaking and answering questions.
He was taken to Florida Hospital Flagler, and died in November as a result of his injuries. The Medical Examiners Office recorded the death as a homicide.
About two months later, law enforcement officers from the Bunnell Police Department and Flagler County Sheriff's Office submitted charges against Thomas.
Thomas had multiple previous arrests for charges including domestic violence, trespassing and various drug crimes, and had been found guilty when he was 18 of firing a gun toward a crowd of people at Ralph Carter Park after an argument.
