Hallstead Man is Convicted on Lesser Manslaughter Charges

A Hallstead man has been found guilty of two counts of voluntary manslaughter in the shooting deaths of two men in February 2012.  47 year old Lloyd Thomas had initially been charged with two counts of homicide in the deaths of Gilberto Alvarez and Joshua Rogers. 

Thomas claimed he shot in self-defense when he saw Rogers coming toward him carrying a rifle. Thomas was also convicted yesterday of possession of a controlled substance and drug paraphernalia.

Investigators say Alvarez and Rogers reportedly went to Thomas’s father’s property in Great Bend after their vehicle had been hit earlier by a gunshot in that area.

Thomas said he shot Alvarez after firing at Rogers since he feared Alvarez was also armed.

Thomas was the only witness in his defense at the trial in Susquehanna County.

Sentencing is set for February 27.  He was sent to the Susquehanna County Jail.

Thomas had been free on bail since June of 2012.