Men Accused Of Murdering T.I.'s Friend To Stand Before Judge

Hosea Thomas will stand before a judge for the alleged murder of Tip’s friend and personal assistant, Philant Johnson in May 2006. Also charged in the case is Hosea's brother, Padron Thomas, Kentucky Post reports.

The two are charged with murder and felonious assault of Johnson and wounding three others that night, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer. Detective Tim Gormly, he states the incident began when the brothers were not allowed to meet T.I.

"T.I. and his group were in the VIP area," he told the Enquirer. "The suspects wanted to get in the VIP area and weren't allowed to."

After being turned down from entering, Gormly said one of the brothers was struck in the head with a bottle and the two were later taunted as the rapper's entourage threw money from the stage.

After leaving the club, the entourage left in two vans that were followed by the Thomas brothers in SUVs. Shortly afterwards, gunfire from both vehicles was exchanged that killed Johnson and injured T.I. due to shattered glass.

Both brothers have criminal backgrounds, including rape, robbery, drug possession and trafficking convictions. Charged with murder and seven counts of felonious assault for each member inside T.I.'s vehicles, the two brothers were hit with weapons charges and tampering with evidence.