A man convicted of murdering his mother in Vicksburg in 1994 appeared in a Warren County court Friday in a petition for a “compassionate release” based on age and health.

Russell J. Thomas appeared before Judge M. James Chaney Friday morning, petitioning for a compassionate release based on his advanced age and illness.

Thomas was convicted of shooting his mother, Veulette Thomas, inside the family business on Clay Street on July 30, 1994. Her body was not found until the next day when Thomas led a police officer inside the building, where she was found deceased due to multiple gun shot wounds to the head and body. By August 10, Thomas had confessed to the murder and later pleaded guilty to homicide. In 1995, he was sentenced to life in prison by Judge Frank Vollor.

Thomas, who is incarcerated in Meridian, has previously been denied parole each of the five times he has been eligible.

Judy Barnett, counsel for Thomas, argued Friday that he qualified for a compassionate release due to his age, illness and length of incarceration. She argued that, at 71 years old, Thomas is not physically capable of harming anyone. Barnette presented a federal statue to the court that she argued supports the idea of compassionate release. Several witnesses also testified to Thomas’s good character and financial ability to support himself upon release from prison.

Warren County District Attorney Ricky Smith argued the nature of the crime was extremely violent and that most compassionate releases require a diagnosis of terminal illness, not just advanced age. He challenged whether the statute cited by Barnett actually allows for compassionate release.

A letter from Thomas’s sister opposing his release was also presented to the court.

In his decision issued from the bench, Chaney said he was not convinced that the federal statute presented by Barnett applied to this Thomas’s case. Chaney stated matters such as the Thomas case were better addressed by the parole board and denied the motion for compassionate release.