LANSING, MI — A Michigan judge delivered a scathingly passionate courtroom sermon to a father of six who claimed he was “a good father” despite repeatedly abusing and assaulting his children’s mother, dismantling his excuses and ordering mandatory drug testing and domestic violence intervention.
The plea and sentencing hearing in Ingham County District Court involved defendant Jamar Thomas, who faced charges stemming from two separate 2020 domestic violence cases involving his long-time partner.
Snatching Phones and Domestic Assault
The proceedings addressed two separate criminal case files against Thomas:
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June 13, 2020 Incident: Thomas got into a heated argument with his partner, Devon Strunk, at her Lansing residence. When Strunk attempted to call 911 for help, Thomas forcefully snatched the phone out of her hand, striking her in the process. He was initially charged with interfering with an electronic communication device before pleading down to domestic violence.
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September 22, 2020 Incident: During another domestic altercation at the same residence over Strunk asking him to leave, Thomas shoved her out of anger. He was charged with domestic violence as a second-offense habitual offender.
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Under a negotiated plea agreement, Thomas agreed to plead guilty to two counts of misdemeanor domestic violence. In exchange, additional felony counts and a third pending case were officially dismissed.
Victim Speaks Out: “I Want Him to Get Help”
Given the opportunity to address the bench, Strunk—who shared six children with Thomas over a 16-year relationship—spoke candidly about years of unreported abuse and unaddressed substance dependency.
“I want him to really, in all honesty, be charged with the crime because he definitely did it,” Strunk testified. “I was with Jamar for 16 years. There was a lot of times when I didn’t report things that had went on between us… I witnessed substance abuse, he won’t admit it. I want him to get help for himself and also my children.”
When Thomas took the stand to ask for leniency, he attempted to defend his character, asserting: “I was going through some things… but that never deterred me from being a good father. She didn’t tell you that I was always there for my kids and her.”
“Explain That Thought Process to Me”: The Judge Reacts
Thomas’s claim of being a good father immediately drew the ire of the presiding judge, who stopped the hearing to demand an explanation for his logic.
“Explain to me how it is that you have fashioned in your mind that you can abuse and put your hands on the mother of your six children and that still constitutes you being a good father?” the judge demanded. “Explain that thought process to me.”
When Thomas stammered and struggled to respond, the judge delivered a blunt reality check on parental responsibility and self-control:
“There’s no such thing. You cannot be a good father when you are battering the mother of your children,” the judge scolded. “Beating the mother of your child is an egregious activity, not a ‘bad choice.’ It’s a lack of self-control… She’s borne six children for you. That’s a heavy load—she’s carried a whole legacy for you, a whole tribe, and she deserves to be honored in that regard.”
The judge also called out Thomas’s history of substance abuse and criminal charges dating back to 2008, emphasizing that men are commanded to protect women rather than harm them.
Sentence and Release on PR Bond
Despite the stern reprimand, the judge acknowledged that Thomas lacked prior domestic violence convictions, making him legally eligible for first-offender diversion under Michigan’s MCL 769.4a statute.
The judge sentenced Thomas to:
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12 Months Probation: Deferring formal conviction under MCL 769.4a.
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Mandatory Assessments: Substance abuse evaluation, drug testing, and anger management intervention.
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No-Contact Order: A strict protective order prohibiting direct contact with Strunk, allowing contact strictly through third parties solely for child-visitation logistics.
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Substance Restrictions: Complete prohibition from consuming alcohol, marijuana, or non-prescribed drugs, alongside a ban on entering bars or nightclubs.
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To allow Thomas to maintain his employment and financially support his six children, the judge amended his $5,000 cash bond to a Personal Recognizance (PR) bond, ordering his immediate release from jail with instructions to report to probation within 48 hours.
Full video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T9GSiNhZFKQ&t=782s