Suspects ARRESTED in Trucker Albert Thomas murder

First off I would like to say I KNEW IT WAS HIS WIFE!!! I read this and immediately started crying tears of joy!!!

For all of those that are reading this, I have followed this murder for 2 years since it happened. Watched it closely and googled this man’s name every month sometimes longer to see if things had changed or what I heard was true. And well read for yourself! YIPPPPEEEE Justice can be served!!!!

For the families that have lost trucker loved ones over the road this is just a little bit more faith that justice can be served!!!! Please stay strong, I know it has to be hard staying patient but things always work out. Now we need to pray for closure and justice for the families of Truman L. Smith and Rex Stephen!

On Thursday, October 6, 2011, information from a citizen was obtained in the ongoing investigation in the death of Albert Thomas, from November 2009.

Investigators from the Central Homicide Unit were able to corroborate the information with evidence obtained during the initial phases of the homicide investigation.

Central Homicide Unit investigators arrested Albert Thomas’ wife, Lorraine Hunter, a 58-year-old African-American female and his step-daughter, Briuana Hunter, an 18-year-old African-American female.

Lorraine Hunter and Briuana Hunter both resided in the city of Moreno Valley, with Albert Thomas at the time of murder. Lorraine Hunter and Briuana Hunter were booked into the Robert Presley Detention Center for murder.

Details (Original Press Release):

Update: Name Released 11-05-09

Update: Coroner’s Report 11-05-09

Date/Time Written: November 4, 2009 / 1600 hrs.

Type of Incident: Homicide

Date/Time of Incident: November 4, 2009 / 10:00 a.m.

Location(s) of Incident: Edgemont Street and Eucalyptus Ave. , Moreno Valley

Reporting Officer: Sergeant Jaime Briones – Sergeant Michael Lujan

File Number: MV093080095

Update:

Name of deceased: Albert Thomas.

via :: Sheriff-Coroner :: Riverside County, California.

Agency: Moreno Valley Police & Sheriff’s Central Homicide Unit

Station Area: Moreno Valley

Written Date: October 11, 2011 Time:

Incident Date: November 4, 2009 Time: 10:00 a.m.

Incident Location: Edgemont Street and Eucalyptus Ave., Moreno Valley

Reporting Officer: Sergeant Jaime Briones – Sergeant Michael Lujan

File Number(s): MV093080095

 

 

 

 

Moreno Valley woman charged in fatal 2009 shooting of trucker husband

By City News Service, on October 13, 2011, at 7:16 pm

A Moreno Valley woman accused of fatally shooting her trucker husband nearly two years ago was charged Thursday with first-degree murder and other allegations.

Lorraine Alison Hunter, 56, could face the death penalty if convicted of killing 58-year-old Albert Thomas on Nov. 9, 2009.

Along with the murder count, Hunter is charged with conspiracy and special circumstance allegations of lying in wait and killing for financial gain, which make her eligible for capital punishment.

Riverside County District Attorney Paul Zellerbach will ultimately have to make the decision on whether to pursue a death sentence or life in prison without the possibility of parole for Hunter if she’s convicted.

Hunter was being held in lieu of $1.5 million bail at the Robert Presley Detention Center in Riverside, and was scheduled to make an initial court appearance this afternoon.

The defendant’s 18-year-old daughter, Briuana Lashane Hunter, was arrested along with her mother on suspicion of murder on Monday. Information on her case, which may be prosecuted in juvenile court because of her age at the time of the alleged crime, was not immediately available.

She is also being held at the Robert Presley jail, in lieu of $1 million. The investigation into Thomas’s death had gone cold until last week, when sheriff’s homicide detectives received a tip that led to fresh evidence in the case, according to Sgt. Michael Lujan.

He said the clues — the nature of which he wouldn’t disclose — prompted detectives to seek and obtain arrest warrants for the mother and daughter. Lorraine Hunter was arrested at her Day Street residence, while the victim’s stepdaughter was taken into custody at a separate location.

Thomas was discovered fatally shot in the cab of his semi truck, which had been parked in a dirt field near Edgemont Street and Eucalyptus Avenue in Moreno Valley.