Murdered woman's son jumps over courtroom barrier to attack man who 'shot and killed' her
A shocking court surveillance video shows a man attacking the murder suspect who shot and killed his mother at close range. The suspect, Vashon Flowers, was on trial on Monday, June 3, charged in the May 19 shooting death of his wife, Jamie Thomas-Flowers, at their home in Muskegon Heights. The skirmish took place during the preliminary examination for Vashon.
MLive reported that London Thomas, the slain woman's son, leaped out of his seat and jumped across the courtroom barrier in an attempt to attack Vashon, who was seated in the jury box talking to Muskegon County Public Defender Fred Johnson at the time. The enraged Thomas was dragged out of the room moments later by law enforcement officers who were present in the courtroom, the video showed.
Thomas was arrested after a brief struggle and was brought before Muskegon County District Judge Raymond Kostrzewa on Tuesday, June 4, morning. Matt Roberts, chief trial attorney for the Muskegon County Prosecutor’s Office, said that Kostrzewa held Thomas in civil contempt of court and barred him from any future proceedings in his courtroom. Roberts added that this includes being barred from any future hearings in the Flowers case.
The hearing was scheduled to begin at 10.30 am but the video shows everyone present waiting for it to begin even at 10.35 am. It was during this time that London made his way towards Vashon and was able to get within inches of grabbing him before he was dragged away by law enforcement officers.
The preliminary examination continued after the incident, which had been adjourned to give the defense some more time to prepare. Vashon has been charged with open murder, which covers first and second-degree murder and manslaughter. He was charged as a four-time habitual offender because of earlier convictions, which includes assault with a dangerous weapon.
It has been reported that Vashon went to the home on Mona Street close to Amsterdam Avenue at around 6.30 am on May 19. He then kicked down the door and shot Jamie four times in the torso with a handgun. He turned himself into the Muskegon Police later that day at around 8.30 pm.