Joseph Thomas
A Lewiston judge has ruled that a former Nez Perce County Sheriff’s deputy convicted of strangling his ex-wife to death may not have contact with the couple’s two young sons or the immediate family of his former wife.
2nd District Judge Michael Griffin on Friday kept in place the no-contact order for 38-year-old Joseph Thomas for one year, the maximum allowed at a time.
Thomas is incarcerated in a maximum security facility in Boise after being convicted in December of killing 28-year-old Beth Irby-Thomas in May 2011. He must serve at least 25 years before he’s eligible for parole.
The children are in the custody of their maternal grandmother following a guardianship agreement reached last month by the maternal and paternal grandparents. The paternal grandparents have visitation rights. (AP)
