Henrico man sentenced for ‘cold-blooded murder' of estranged wife
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Henrico Circuit Court Judge Randall Johnson sentenced a Henrico man above the recommended guidelines for the February 12, 2021 murder of a mother of two.
Michael Lamont Thurston Sr., 46, was sentenced to 40 years in prison, with 10 years suspended, on Friday for the killing of his estranged wife, 35-year-old Tabitha Inge.
Thurston was originally charged with first degree murder after Inge was found brutalized and beaten in her home following a welfare check, according to the Henrico County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office.
Thurston entered an Alford plea to the lesser charge of second-degree murder. An Alford plea means the defendant admits prosecutors have enough evidence to convict while maintaining their innocence.
Judge Johnson said the maximum recommended sentence for second degree murder was 23 years and 10 months, however he cited aggravating and mitigating factors for handing down the higher judgment.
The judge also gave Thurston a lifetime violent crime protective order for his two young children who were present in the courtroom and at the home at the time of the murder.
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