Man jailed after he misses start of his trial

By Wayne Laepple
The Daily Item

June 18, 2009 11:00 am

— SUNBURY — A Milton man who failed to show up for trial in Northumberland County Court on Tuesday found himself behind bars.
Donald Richard Thomas, 60, of 21 Vertie Lane, who had been free on bail, was scheduled to stand trial on charges of attempted homicide. When Thomas didn’t show up, President Judge Robert Sacavage issued a bench warrant for him, and within an hour, Northumberland County sheriff’s deputies and Milton police took him into custody without incident at his home.
He was taken to the Northumberland County Prison to be held until another court appearance can be scheduled.
Thomas was to be tried in connection with a Feb. 17, 2008, incident at his home. According to arrest documents, Thomas had been away from the Vertie Lane house, and he returned to find his estranged wife and several friends moving furniture and other personal property out of the house.
Enraged, he drove his car over furniture in the driveway, and when he backed up, he nearly ran over his sister-in-law, according to court documents.
His wife and the others left the area, since they knew Thomas kept guns in the house, and called police, officials said. When police arrived, they said they found him smashing furniture and other items in the driveway.
He was arraigned by on-call District Judge Michael Mychak, of Mount Carmel, and charged with criminal attempted homicide, two counts of attempted aggravated assault, simple assault, reckless endangerment and criminal mischief.