The man accused of killing a Pine Bluff woman who had been missing since May made his first court appearance Wednesday.
Tony Thompson Jr., 31, entered Judge Jodi Dennis’ 5th Division courtroom in 11th West Circuit Court in an orange W.C. “Dub” Brassell Detention Center jumpsuit to hear the charges against him. He entered nearly an hour after other jail inmates were seated in the jury stand awaiting their appearances.
Prosecutors have charged Thompson with first-degree murder, a Class Y felony that carries a sentence of 10 to 40 years to life in prison if convicted, and abuse of a corpse, a Class C felony punishable by three to 10 years in prison and/or a fine of up to $10,000. Thompson also faces a firearm enhancement of 15 years if convicted.
Joynell Brandon had been missing since May 13, when her daughter told police she dropped her off at a residence on Fluker Avenue that night. A witness told police Brandon left a residence on East Harding Avenue with a friend later identified as Thompson, who claims he dropped off Brandon near East Second Avenue and Pennsylvania Street.
Brandon’s blood was located inside a box truck Thompson reportedly was driving, according to a report from the state Crime Laboratory in July.
Thompson was charged Dec. 12 and is held at the Jefferson County jail in lieu of a $1 million secured bond. He has been booked into the jail since May 17 on charges related to the reported theft of his mother’s vehicle and crashing near Altheimer.
The court date for that case is Feb. 2, the date Dennis set for Thompson’s next appearance in the Brandon case. Dennis appointed a public defender for Thompson, who said he was unable to hire his own attorney.