[LA] Deputy Thomas allegedly "coerced" his wife into confessing to his crime in order to save his job. He's FIRED.

Rapides Parish Sheriff's Deputy Marvin Thomas who (allegedly) "coerced" his wife into confessing to HIS (allegedly) drunken hit and run has been FIRED.

The UNIDENTIFIED pedestrian is dead (forever) after being hit by a second passing car after Deputy Thomas' first strike.

...Marvin Thomas said he was scared and went home to ask his wife to confess to the incident because of his job as a sheriff's deputy... "It's unfortunate that [Marvin Thomas] coerced her into confessing to the hit and run and that she did it," [Alexandria Sgt. Ronald] Besson said...

RAPDIES PARISH DEPUTY FIRED AFTER FATAL HIT-AND-RUN AND ATTEMPTED COVER-UP
The Town Talk
By David Dinsmore
July 22, 2010
An off-duty Rapides Parish sheriff's deputy [Marvin Thomas], who asked his wife to take the fall, stands accused of a hit-and-run that led to the death of a [unidentified] pedestrian Tuesday. He has since been fired by Sheriff Charles "Chuck" Wagner... During further investigation, sources in contact with Erica Thomas told police she had admitted that her husband was behind the wheel of the first car to hit the pedestrian. Alexandria police brought Erica Thomas in for more questioning and learned her husband had confessed to her that he had hit someone on Lee Street, police said. He also admitted to drinking earlier that night, and she said she could smell alcohol on him. Marvin Thomas later admitted to police he was driving alone in the car that initially hit the victim, police said. He said he tried to dodge the pedestrian. After the accident, Marvin Thomas said he was scared and went home to ask his wife to confess to the incident because of his job as a sheriff's deputy, police said. Investigators arrested and charged him with felony hit-and-run and obstruction of justice... "Sheriff Wagner terminated [Marvin Thomas' employment] immediately Wednesday morning... Marvin Thomas was employed by the Sheriff's Office since 1999 and was assigned to the work release facility, Walters said... "It's unfortunate that [Marvin Thomas] coerced her into confessing to the hit and run ... and that she did it," [Alexandria Sgt. Ronald] Besson said. [Full article here]
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