Gary nightclub manager acquitted of charges

• Reprints

Updated: March 12, 2012 8:04AM

GARY — A six-member jury deliberated less than 30 minutes before deciding Gary nightclub manager Russell Thomas was not guilty of disorderly conduct.

Thomas, 61, of Gary, manager of Prestige, was charged Dec. 22, 2010, after police stopped him in his truck on Broadway while investigating the source of gunfire in the area.

Sgt. Lindal Hairston arrested Thomas, who was charged with carrying a gun without a permit, disorderly conduct and two traffic violations.

Prosecutors dismissed the weapons charge before the trial because Thomas did have a permit when the incident occurred.

Hairston and Thomas both testified. The trial was held Jan. 13 before Lake Superior Court County Division Judge Julie Cantrell,

Thomas had filed a complaint through the Gary Police Civil Service Commission about his treatment, but the matter was dismissed by then-Chief Anthony Stanley after Hairston passed a voice stress test administered months after the arrest.

Defense attorney Darnail Lyles said the prosecutor could not find copies of the tickets issued by Hairston. His client has received the handgun seized during the arrest, but has yet to obtain $508 taken by Hairston.

“We’re going to meet next week about that,” Lyles said.

Thomas was charged last year with theft and burglary in connection with missing items reported by the Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District. His trial is July 23.