Thomas Laster

Name:
Laster, Thomas James

Date of Booking:
02/25/2026

Reason(s) For Booking:
Aggravated Assault

Possession of Firearm or Knife During Certain Crimes

Officer’s Narrative:
[Please note: The following is a direct transcription from the official initial incident report. The Georgia Gazette does not fix any spelling or grammatical errors that may exist. Any changes or redactions made by our staff are placed inside brackets. Some errors may exist. All subjects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The topics discussed may be sensitive to some readers. Discretion is advised.]

On 02/25/2026 at approximately 2130 hours, I, Ofc. Walker, responded to [REDACTED BY AGENCY] in reference to a stabbing.

I met with the victim, [VICTIM #1], in [REDACTED BY AGENCY] in the ER. She was actively receiving treatment. She stated her fiance, Thomas Laster, stabbed her after she told him he needed to leave by tomorrow and that she was leaving him.

She stated she picked him up from Yesterdaze Bar and Grill on Moody Rd. and took him home to their shared residence at [500 BLOCK] Beechwood Dr. She stated after getting home, she told him he needed to leave. She further stated she had been seeing someone else. She stated his response was that she could not leave and he would not let her. She stated he then produced a serated blade knife and stabbed her in the stomach. She stated this occurred on the front porch. She stated he attempted to treat her and bandage her up in the living room near a large sectional sofa. Assisting officers responded to the residence and secured it pending a search warrant.

I inquired about Mr. Laster’s last known location. She stated she was driven to the hospital by Mr. Laster in her white SUV. Dispatch advised the tag to that vehicle to be [REDACTED]. It was later located the parking lot of [REDACTED BY AGENCY] with Mr. Laster inside. She stated Mr. Laster was tall and wearing red Georgia shirt. She stated he may still have the knife on his person. When Mr. Laster was placed into custody, he did not have the knife on his person and was very intoxicated. He was transported to Headquarters by Ofc. Stringer.

I took photos of Ms. [VICTIM #1]’s injuries and attached them to this case file. The vehicle was towed to Headquarters pending further investigation.

Sgt. Welter responded to the scene. He notified Det. Smith. Further investigation is turned over to Det. Smith.

[End of Narrative]

The information below reflects all details available at the time of publication and was obtained directly from the official court database accessible to the public. Court records are subject to change at any time at the court’s discretion. The Georgia Gazette is not responsible for errors, omissions, or discrepancies within the docket. No information provided should be construed as legal advice or opinion. All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Case History:

3/3/26

MOTION FOR BOND FILED

What this means: Thomas James Laster’s attorney, David M. Jennings from the Office of the Public Defender, filed a request asking the Houston County Superior Court to set bond so Thomas James Laster could be released from jail while his case proceeds. The motion argues that Thomas James Laster will not leave the jurisdiction, is not a threat to the community, and poses no significant risk to reoffend or intimidate witnesses. Thomas James Laster has been held in the Houston County jail on case 2026C0064525 for charges including aggravated assault, possession of a firearm or knife during commission of certain felonies, and false imprisonment.

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3/3/26

RECIPROCAL DISCOVERY ELECTION FILED

What this means: In the same filing as his bond motion, Thomas James Laster’s attorney elected to participate in reciprocal discovery in Houston County Superior Court case 2026C0064525. This means both the defense and prosecution will share evidence with each other according to Georgia law, even though the case had not yet been formally indicted at that time.

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3/5/26

BOND GRANTED WITH CONDITIONS

What this means: Judge Amy Smith granted Thomas James Laster bond in the amount of $7,500 on his Houston County charges of aggravated assault, possession of firearm or knife during commission of certain felonies, and false imprisonment. However, the bond comes with strict conditions: Thomas James Laster must have no contact with the alleged victim, cannot drive, cannot consume alcohol, and must be on electronic monitoring with house arrest and a SCRAM alcohol monitor. He must report to CSRA within 30 minutes of release and pay all monitoring fees unless found indigent by the court.

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3/31/26

INDICTMENT RETURNED

What this means: A Houston County grand jury returned a true bill indictment against Thomas James Laster on case 2026C0064525. The indictment formally charges him with Count 1: Aggravated Assault, Family Violence (for allegedly making an assault on the alleged victim with a knife on or about February 25, 2026); Count 2: Possession of a Knife During Commission of a Felony (for allegedly having a knife with a three-inch blade during the commission of aggravated assault); and Count 3: False Imprisonment (for allegedly confining the alleged victim without legal authority). The prosecutor is Justin C. Duane, Senior Assistant District Attorney, and the case was presented to the January 2026 term of Houston Superior Court.

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4/3/26

DEFENSE NOTICES AND DISCOVERY MOTIONS FILED

What this means: Thomas James Laster’s attorney David Jennings filed comprehensive defense motions in Houston County Superior Court case 2026C0064525. These include opting into reciprocal discovery, requesting complete court recordation of all proceedings, seeking Brady material (evidence favorable to the defense), filing a Jackson-Denno motion to determine if any statements were voluntary, requesting preservation and independent testing of physical evidence, objecting to crime lab personnel waivers, filing notice to produce original evidence at trial, and demanding return of electronic devices while objecting to their search. These are standard defense motions designed to protect Thomas James Laster’s rights and ensure access to all relevant evidence.