Man gets life without parole for 2021 murder at Spring Branch entertainment center

Nicholas Dwayne Thomas, 26, was convicted for killing 37-year-old Miguel Vasquez during a robbery at a Spring Branch entertainment center in 2021.

HOUSTON — A Houston man was found guilty of capital murder and sentenced to life in prison without the opportunity for parole.

Nicholas Dwayne Thomas, 26, was convicted by a Harris County Jury last Friday for killing 37-year-old Miguel Vasquez during a robbery outside a Spring Branch movie theater on April 4, 2021.

“Gun violence continues to tear apart our community because criminals like this man specifically intend to rob, hurt and kill others,” Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg said. “Our job is to seek justice, and jurors agreed that this killer should never be on the street again.”

The crime

On the day of the shooting, Vasquez and his daughter, who was eight years old at the time were leaving Dave and Buster’s along the Katy Freeway when Thomas approached them with his gun out. He put Vasquez in a chokehold while demanding his watch.

Thomas shot Vasquez and left the scene.

Vasquez’s daughter wasn’t injured, but witnessed her father’s killing. With her help, police were able to release a composite sketch along with surveillance video of a vehicle of interest.

How was he caught?

Four days after the shooting, Thomas’ child was shot in the leg. Thomas took the toddler to an area hospital and cooperated with investigators who were looking into what was considered to be an accidental shooting.

The gun was turned over to forensic investigators who tested it and found out that it was the same gun used to kill Vasquez less than a week prior.

Thomas was arrested and charged with murder. His DNA was also found on Vasquez’s watch and his fingerprints were found on Vasquez’s car. Phone records also proved that Thomas was in the area at the time of the murder.

The trial

The trial lasted two days before the jury reached its decision.

Dozens of Vasquez’s family members were in the courtroom.

“More than 30 members of the victim’s family sat through the trial because he was a beloved husband and father of two who will never get to see his children grow up,” Assistant District Attorney Chandler Raine said. “We were honored to be responsible for seeing that justice was done for this family, and are thankful to the jury for their service and attentiveness, which led to the right verdict.”

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