Man pleads guilty in deadly robbery

By John W. Goodwin Jr.

jgoodwin@vindy.com

YOUNGSTOWN

One of two men charged in a deadly police shooting at a North Side restaurant likely will spend six years in prison — if he testifies against his co-defendant later this month.

James Thomas, 50, of Belmont Avenue, had been charged with aggravated robbery with a gun specification for his role in the April 2011 attempted robbery at Galaxy Seafood on Belmont Avenue. He appeared Friday before Judge James C. Evans of Mahoning County Common Pleas Court and entered into a guilty-plea agreement on the charges.

Thomas, who is represented by Atty. Thomas E. Zena, could be sentenced to 13 years in prison on the felony charge.

Under the terms of the plea agreement, prosecutors will recommend Thomas spend three years in prison on the robbery charge and an additional three years in prison for the gun charge. Judge Evans does not have to accept the recommended sentence, however.

Thomas also must testify against co-defendant Nathaniel Dumas, 35, of East Florida Avenue, in his upcoming trial later this month. Dumas is charged with murder and aggravated robbery for his role in the attempted robbery.

According to police, off-duty Youngstown officer Mike Walker was working security at the seafood restaurant April 8 and was in the back of the business when Warren V. Wright, 32, of Youngstown, walked in around 6 p.m., pointed a gun at a worker at the front of the establishment and demanded money.

Walker confronted Wright, and Wright died after Walker shot him in the chest.

Police said Dumas was the getaway driver, but because his involvement in the shooting was tied to a death, he was charged with murder in Wright’s death.

Police said Thomas also was involved in the attempted robbery but have not said what role he played in the crime.