Oct 29 - Suspect In T.I. Shooting Case Pleads Guilty, Admits To Taking Part In Fatal Shoot-Out

News: Suspect In T.I. Shooting Case Pleads Guilty, Admits To Taking Part In Fatal Shoot-Out
Wednesday, Oct 28, 2009 4:31PM

Written by Cyrus Langhorne


Today, the man responsible for helping in the 2006 murder of T.I.'s friend and assistant Philant Johnson has confessed his role in the fatal shoot-out.

Pardon Thomas pleaded guilty to multiple charges including manslaughter and assault.

Padron Thomas, 41, pleaded guilty Wednesday to manslaughter, tampering with evidence and five counts of felonious assault. Thomas admitted he was driving a vehicle north on Interstate 75 in a May 3, 2006, incident when his younger brother, Hosea Thomas, fired several shots into vans carrying TI and his friends. The rapper, whose real name is Clifford Harris, wasn't hit but his friend Philant "Big Phil" Johnson was killed and three others wounded. The official sentencing date is Nov. 17 but the judge indicated Wednesday he will impose the 10-year sentence and allow it to run at the same time as Thomas' federal prison sentence. Hosea Thomas was upset he'd been hit in the head with a bottle at a Roselawn party attended by TI and his posse following a concert. Enraged, he got in the vehicle and the brothers chased the rapper's van up the interstate before Hosea Thomas opened fire. Hosea Thomas is eligible for parole in 2074 when he is 100 years old. (Cincinnati News)
Tip testified last fall and recounted what happened during the shoot-out.

Describing the aftermath, T.I. explained what happened when he noticed Johnson laying prone, after being shot in the head. "We called Phil's name out, Phil didn't respond," T.I. said. When asked what his friend looked like, he responded: "Lifeless." "I saw blood running down his face, his shirt was wet...He had an injury wound to the left temple." Three other members were reportedly wounded, however Tip did not suffer any injuries. (Associated Press)
Despite testifying against his brother and possibly facing no prison time, Padron still landed nearly 20 years behind bars.

Opening statements began earlier this week as jury members were told Cincinnati local Thomas was responsible for the murder. Hosea's brother, Padron, who was also involved in the shoot-out, stepped forward to testify against him. He now faces no prison time for his role in the murder of Johnson. (MTV)
The shoot-out allegedly stemmed from a club incident in 2006.

Details emerged last June 2008 explaining that both men took issue with T.I. and his entourage, when they were denied didn't allow them access to exclusive areas at a late night party and performance. Upon being turned down, a member from Tip's crew allegedly struck one of the brothers in the head with a bottle and later taunted them. This led to the Thomas duo following the rapper's crew in SUVs and exchanging gunfire. Johnson reportedly died as a result of this gun fire. (Cincinnati Enquirer)
No further details have been revealed as of now.

From SOHH.com