Family of man killed by sheriff’s deputy files lawsuit

Mathew Jackson, 29, was fatally shot by an off-duty Bexar County sheriff's deputy in August. He left behind a wife, 28-year-old Erica Fitts, and the couple's son, Jasper, 3. Courtesy photo. Mathew Jackson, 29, was fatally shot by an off-duty Bexar County sheriff's deputy in August. He left behind a wife, 28-year-old Erica Fitts, and the couple's son, Jasper, 3. Courtesy photo. Photo: Courtesy Photo Photo: Courtesy Photo Image 1 of / 6 Caption Close Family of man killed by sheriff’s deputy files lawsuit 1 / 6 Back to Gallery

The family of a man shot and killed by a Bexar County sheriff’s deputy has sued the county, the sheriff and the now-former officer.

Relatives of Mathew Jackson claim in the federal suit, filed late Wednesday, that then-Deputy Anthony Lamont Thomas, 39, had a checkered history that included insubordination and a violently aggressive attitude that made him unfit for duty.

Thomas was wearing a uniform but was off-duty and in his personal vehicle when he was involved in a traffic accident with Jackson on Loop 1604 near Lookout Road on the Northeast Side. Jackson, 29, was shot one time and died at the scene.

The suit said at the time of the incident, Thomas was supposed to be working a part-time private security job, but was instead visiting his girlfriend. The suit also states Thomas had a number of red flags in his personnel file that would have alerted the sheriff’s office that “one of their deputies clearly was going through a transition in his life which had rendered him unfit for duty.”

Grand jurors indicted Thomas in February 2014 on a murder charge. Sheriff Susan Pamerleau said at the time that Thomas was placed on administrative leave pending dismissal proceedings.

“Mr. Thomas is disappointed about being indicted … but he believes in justice and he believes in the system, ” Thomas’ lawyer, Cleophus “Cleo” Marshall Jr., said at the time. “He is hoping that, once all the evidence has come out, the system will do as it is designed to do and he will be found not guilty of these charges.”

In January of this year, new District Attorney Nicholas “Nico” LaHood announced he recused himself and his office from prosecuting Thomas.

LaHood, while still a defense attorney, was contacted by Thomas shortly after the shooting.

“During the meeting, Thomas divulged information that is protected by the attorney-client privilege, ” according to a release from the district attorney’s office. “As a result, D.A. LaHood and his office are ethically prohibited from continuing to prosecute the charges against Thomas.”

Court records show Thomas is free on bond, and that his case is pending trial in the 379th District Court.