Mother officially charged with three counts of murder

By Gus Bode

The Jackson County State’s Attorney office announced Monday that it will charge Apollonia C. Thomas, 30, of Carbondale, with three counts of first-degree murder in the Saturday shooting of her 5-year-old daughter, Victoria.

Jackson County State’s Attorney Mike Wepsiec also is exploring if Thomas is eligible for the death penalty.

Thomas is being held in Jackson County Jail in lieu of $1 million bond and is on suicide watch, said Jackson County Sheriff’s Department Officer Dennis Followell.

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At about 12:25 p.m. Saturday, Thomas’ brother called from Georgia and told Carbondale Police that Thomas called their mother and told her that she had shot Victoria. Police officers and a Jackson County ambulance proceeded to Thomas’ residence at 3016 W. Sunset Drive but were held off for about an hour by Thomas, who refused to leave the apartment and threatened to shoot herself, police said.

Victoria was pronounced dead shortly after her arrival at Memorial Hospital of Carbondale at about 1:30 Saturday.

First-degree murder is punishable by a term of incarceration for 20 to 60 years, but under certain circumstances, the court can impose a 60- to 100-year sentence.

Thomas’ preliminary hearing will be at 9 a.m. Nov. 4 at the Jackson County Courthouse. She is being held in Jackson County Jail on $1 million bond.

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