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Death Penalty Sought In Fatal Stabbings

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By TODD LESKANIC, The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 14, 2007

DADE CITY - Prosecutors will seek the death penalty for a Zephyrhills man accused of killing his father and his father's live-in girlfriend.

Kyle Aric Thomas, 30, is charged with two counts of first-degree murder.

He has pleaded not guilty.

Prosecutors filed notice last week that they plan on seeking the death penalty at trial.

Authorities found the bodies of Craig Thomas, 54, and Irene Martin, 45, in the bathroom of their Lawanda Loop mobile home Jan. 4, 2005.

Thomas had been stabbed in the chest seven times; Martin's throat had been sliced.

A Zephyrhills police officer went to the house to check on the couple after the department received a call from Martin's sister saying she hadn't heard from her since Dec. 21.

When the officer entered the house, he found the thermostat set to 55 degrees. Tests showed the carpets had been steam-cleaned to remove bloodstains, according to previous court filings. Blood also had been cleaned off a chair and the couch.

Kyle Thomas was arrested on a probation violation Jan. 6, 2005, in Cartersville, Ga. He was returned to Pasco County three months later and has been in the Land O' Lakes jail since.

No trial date has been set.
Assistant State Attorney Manny Garcia declined to comment on the state's decision to seek the death penalty.

If a jury convicted Thomas of first-degree murder, jurors would then recommend a sentence of either death or life in prison.

Reporter Todd Leskanic can be reached at (727) 815-1084 or tleskanic@tampatrib.com.

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