Demarius Reed's father disappointed by jury's acquittal of Ed Thomas

CHICAGO (WLS) -- The day after a man was acquitted in the murder of Demarius Reed, the college student's father spoke about the verdict.

"It was like reliving the whole ordeal," Carl Reed said. Demarius, 20, a student and football player at Eastern Michigan University, was shot to death at his off-campus apartment building last October.

Ed Thomas was one of two people charged in the case. A jury found him not guilty in the robbery and fatal shooting on Monday. His defense attorney never argued that Thomas wasn't present at the crime scene, but argued he was not involved.

"He played just as much of a role in it as Pratt did. I believe their intentions were evil and vicious and malicious," Carl Reed.

The other man charged in the murder, Kristopher Pratt pleaded guilty in the murder last week. In exchange for a lesser sentence, Pratt testified that Thomas punched Reed to the ground and handed the murder weapon to Pratt. Pratt pulled the trigger.

"They had the people who were involved in it and for one of them to go free, scot-free, it's unacceptable," Dante Culbreath, Simeon Career Academy coach, said.

Reed was a standout football player and graduate of Simeon Career Academy. He kept in touch with the school, where two of his younger brothers now play.

"Almost every other day. He was one of those guys who kept calling back and was real appreciative of the things we were able to serve him," Culbreath said.

Carl Reed carries his son's Simeon gear bag, which is marked with a No. 2 on it, Tuesday as he left to visit Demarius's gravesite.

"I just go sit by the cemetery and have a few words. A few thoughts, memories. And it helps me to go on and continue through," Carl Reed said.

Under the deal agreed upon with the state's attorney, Pratt will serve 18 to 30 years in prison.