Thomas’ Trial is Moved to August

Kanawha County Circuit Court Judge Joanna Tabit issued a stern warning Monday to lawyers in the ongoing murder case of a man accused of killing a Charleston teenager that she will not push the trial back any further. Dekotis Thomas was indicted last year for first-degree murder in the April 2021 shooting of Capital High School student Kelvin “KJ” Taylor on Central Avenue on the city’s West Side. Thomas’ attorney, Joey Spano, asked Tabit to continue the trial that was originally set for next week syaing he was still in the process of reviewing evidence. Tabit was very clear the case would not be continued again after this move. Thomas’ new trial date will now be Aug. 15.