Jamaica Man Gets Prison Time For 2011 House Party Murder: Authorities

JAMAICA, NY — A man who was on the run for eight years for the 2011 shooting death of another man at a South Richmond Hill house party could spend the rest of his life in prison following his sentencing, according to Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz.

Troy Thomas, 37, of Jamaica, was sentenced to serve 25 years to life in prison for fleeing to Guyana after the murder of Keith Frank, 20, over a petty dispute, according to the New York Post.

In 2019, Thomas was the first person to be extradited from the South American country, which does not have an extradition treaty with the United States, the Daily News reported.

Thomas was convicted of murder in May, according to Katz’s Office.

“Despite being on the run for eight years, the defendant has now been held to account for committing this senseless murder,” Katz said in a statement.

On Dec. 11, 2011, at approximately 4:30 a.m., Thomas was accused of pulling out a gun and shooting Frank in the chest. The victim was pronounced dead at the hospital.

“The family and loved ones of the victim, who had just become a father at the time of his death, were denied justice for more than a decade. Today, I hope they can finally put this sad chapter to rest knowing that the defendant will spend a lengthy term in prison for his criminal actions,” Katz said.

The Queens District Attorney’s Extraditions, Renditions, and Property Release Services handled the extradition with the assistance of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs and the U.S. Department of State.