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Richie gets life in prison for Mask murder

By LEE WILLIAMS
lwilliams@TheCitizenNews.com

A two-time convicted felon accused of killing a former Fayette County commissioner with a concrete block will spend the rest of his life in prison pondering the crime.

Thomas Allen Richie, 33, of Jonesboro, reportedly told the court he was justified in defending his life. Nonetheless, Richie pleaded guilty to charges in connection with the Sept. 7, 2004 murder.

Richie originally faced charges of malice murder, felony murder and theft by taking in connection with the death of former County Commissioner Charles Herbert Mask. The actual charges he pleaded to were unavailable by presstime, a Superior Court clerk said Monday.

Mask, 74, was found dead inside of a mobile home at 622 McBride Road. Officials said Mask, who served from 1986-1987, reportedly died from injuries he sustained after being struck twice in the head with a concrete block.

Richie allegedly stole Mask’s 2000 Ford Ranger and fled from the home after the murder. He ditched the truck in Atlanta and was later captured by authorities.

The September 2004 incident isn’t the first time Richie wound up on the wrong side of the law. Richie was released from Rogers State Prison in 1994 after serving a nearly two-year sentence for stealing a motor vehicle or part in Clayton County.