GUILTY FL - Susan Fast, 60, Bradenton, 29 June 2007

[CatMama3]

In reading here, Bruce Fast seems to have suspected his son early on, and made that clear to LE. I'm not for a moment suggesting that the senior Fast had anything to do with his wife's murder, but I came across this case on TruTV (? used to be CourtTV), and saw a crawler that said that Bruce Fast asked for the death penalty for his son, but that prosecutors declined. I'm blown away by the fact that a father would seek the death penalty for his own son, no matter the circumstances. Is there more about this case that I don't know?

The son/defendant's motive seems to to be deep resentment at losing his inheritance, and he appears to have a long history of mental illness. Most people with an organic mental illness are not violent--was Thomas Fast the exception? I would've expected the son to have a personality disorder (anti-social behavior) rather than a bio-chemical mental illness (bi-polar or schizophrenia) if he resorted to murder to protect what he perceived as his $$.

Sorry for the jumbled thoughts. I'm really perplexed by this case.

 

[Paintr]

Attorneys had hoped to have the trial finished this week, but proceedings have been slow going and the trial will resume Monday. Tampa attorney Joe Episcopo, who is observing the trial as a legal analyst, said the trial has taken longer than expected because the judge and attorneys are taking their time to ensure that a higher court will not later overturn the verdict.

“They are being extra careful not to make any mistakes because they don’t want a reversal,” Episcopo said.


http://www.bradenton.com/news/local/story/1567658.html

 

[Paintr]

http://www.bradenton.com/847/story/1569298.html

Tampa defense attorney Joe Episcopo, who is observing the Fast trial, said based on past clashes Fast claims to have had with his attorney, he believes Fast might testify on his own behalf.

That’s because Fast already filed a motion prior to his trial asking his attorney, Assistant Public Defender Franklin Roberts, to be removed from the case so he could represent himself. That clash may have caused enough ill will to put Fast on the stand, Episcopo said.

 

[Paintr]

http://www.mysuncoast.com/Global/story.asp?S=10717330&nav=menu577_2

The state has rested its case, and the defense is now calling witnesses.

This morning, jurors heard a taped conversation between Thomas and a detective. Fast told Detective Alvarado that Susan and Bruce were bull-headed and self-centered. He said he had seen Susan before she disappeared, and that he asked her where Bruce was. He also said Susan let him borrow money, and then he left her and had nothing to do with her disappearance.

http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20090713/BREAKING/907139965?Title=Prosecution-rests-case-in-Thomas-Fast-murder-trial

The defense is expected to present its case after lunch. Fast’s defense attorney has said that despite DNA evidence that links Thomas Fast’s blood to his stepmom’s home and vehicle, that there is no solid proof that Fast killed her.

 

[Paintr]

http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20090713/BREAKING/907139965?Title=Closing-arguments-today-in-Thomas-Fast-murder-trial

Closing arguments are expected to come this afternoon in the murder trial of Thomas Fast, charged with killing and dismembering his stepmother Susan Fast in East Manatee in June 2007.



Defense attorneys called witnesses who alleged that Susan Fast's husband, Bruce, might have planted evidence to frame his son. The strategy was intended to cast reasonable doubt on the state's case

 

[Paintr]

http://www.abcactionnews.com/news/local/story/Thomas-Fast-will-not-testify-in-his-murder-trial/k0agDgO_dUu3vJRlqhJtEg.cspx

BRADENTON, FL -- Thomas Fast told a Manatee County judge today he will not testify in his murder trial. Fast is charged with the murder of his stepmother, Susan Fast. The 54-year-old told the judge he understood his right to take the stand, but would not do so.

 

[Paintr]

http://www.mysuncoast.com/Global/story.asp?S=10717330&nav=menu577_2_1

During closing arguments, prosecutor Art Brown told jurors that despite Thomas' delusions, Bruce and Susan involved Thomas in their life. Brown said their tolerance for his eccentricities was paid back by Thomas killing Susan. "There is no genuine factual issue as to this man's guilt. We have shown by overwhelming evidence that the man who stabbed Susan Fast, and then dismembered her is not a stranger but her own stepson."

Defense attorney Franklin Roberts told jurors that the state did not prove their case...that it is lacking in fundamental ways, there is reasonable doubt, and the evidence does not support conviction. "Brown's case against Thomas Fast comes down to this: He was the last person seen with her, and he is strange. He was the last person seen with her, and he's strange. That's not proof."

 

[Paintr]

http://www.bradenton.com/847/story/1572038.html?storylink=omni_popular

A jury didn’t buy a defense theory that Thomas Fast was framed by his father.

It also didn’t believe that sheriff’s investigators planted key evidence.

Instead the panel ruled late Monday that Thomas Fast committed first-degree murder in the killing and dismembering of his stepmother, Susan Fast, in June 2007.


I may have been the only one following this trial, lol, but I am pleased that justice prevailed in this case.

 

[Paintr]

http://www2.tbo.com/content/2009/jul/13/130031/fast-found-guilty-stepmothers-death/news-metro/

Thomas Fast was sentenced to life without parole, plus 15 years on the robbery charge.

Fast's defense attorney, Franklin Roberts, said he is disappointed in the decision and plans to appeal.


http://www.myfoxtampabay.com/dpp/news/local/sun_coast/Thomas_fast_guilty_071309

A jury has found Thomas Fast guilty of first-degree murder in the 2007 death of his stepmother, Susan Fast.

The Manatee County man was charged with kidnapping and killing Susan Fast in 2007, leaving her body in a Lakewood Ranch retention pond

 

[cleo612]

Paintr, I have been following this with you, though only peripherally. I greatly appreciate you keeping up with all of the articles about the case.

I am so glad that the jury didn't fall for the defense's theory. After all, if Thomas was the last person to be with Susan, and now she is dead, and dismembered to boot, then the only logical conclusion could be that Thomas was the one who caused her death and dismemberment. She obviously didn't dismember herself, right?!

He will now have the rest of his life behind bars to contemplate his actions. The world is a safer place with him behind bars. The jury did the right thing.

Thanks again for all of your contributions here at WS--you are quite an asset to the rest of us here!

 

[Paintr]

Paintr, I have been following this with you, though only peripherally. I greatly appreciate you keeping up with all of the articles about the case.

I am so glad that the jury didn't fall for the defense's theory. After all, if Thomas was the last person to be with Susan, and now she is dead, and dismembered to boot, then the only logical conclusion could be that Thomas was the one who caused her death and dismemberment. She obviously didn't dismember herself, right?!

He will now have the rest of his life behind bars to contemplate his actions. The world is a safer place with him behind bars. The jury did the right thing.

Thanks again for all of your contributions here at WS--you are quite an asset to the rest of us here!

I am glad to hear that someone else was happy to see Susan Fast get justice. Her smile caught my attention and got me interested in her case. I applaud the jury for concentrating on the facts instead of the wild theories put forth by the defense. I feel sorry for Bruce and his other son Richard. I hope things get better for them.

RIP Susan Fast.

Thank you kindly for those nice comments. I don't think I've ever been called an asset before.

 

[Paintr]

http://www.abcactionnews.com/news/local/story/Thomas-Fast-guilty-of-killing-stepmom/IW-8fH-AtUuF-2GcGP9Z0w.cspx

BRADENTON, FL -- Thomas Fast was found guilty of murdering his stepmother Susan Fast in 2007. A jury wasted no time after they deliberated for five hours into the evening Monday and presented the judge with a guilty verdict of murdering and dismembering his stepmother

 

[ohiogirl]

Thanks for all the updates Paintr, been trying to follow, but life keeps getting in the
way. That was a very quick verdict, guess not doubt at all. Thanks again.

 

[Paintr]

Thanks for all the updates Paintr, been trying to follow, but life keeps getting in the
way. That was a very quick verdict, guess not doubt at all. Thanks again.

You are very welcome, ohiogirl. I agree about life. It just rushes on even when you wanna spend more time at WS. LOL!

 

[cleo612]

I am glad to hear that someone else was happy to see Susan Fast get justice. Her smile caught my attention and got me interested in her case. I applaud the jury for concentrating on the facts instead of the wild theories put forth by the defense. I feel sorry for Bruce and his other son Richard. I hope things get better for them.

RIP Susan Fast.

Thank you kindly for those nice comments. I don't think I've ever been called an asset before.

The theories that the defense put forth were nothing but psychopathic rantings probably uttered by their client, Thomas Fast. Since none of what was spewed forth made any sense whatsoever, the only logical conclusion that the jury could come to--and did come to--was that Thomas was responsible for the death of this vibrant woman.

My thoughts and prayers go out to Susan's husband, Bruce, as well as to the rest of her family and friends. May she rest in peace.

You, Paintr, have provided much valuable information to several cases--this one and little Tori's, in particular. Since I do not have time to do much sleuthing, it means a lot to me when others, such as yourself, take the time to do so in my stead.

It is nice to be able to sit down and catch up quickly on the cases that I follow. This is only made possible by the time and commitment that you, and others like you, show towards the victims of senseless crimes. I applaud you.

 

[Paintr]

The theories that the defense put forth were nothing but psychopathic rantings probably uttered by their client, Thomas Fast. Since none of what was spewed forth made any sense whatsoever, the only logical conclusion that the jury could come to--and did come to--was that Thomas was responsible for the death of this vibrant woman.

My thoughts and prayers go out to Susan's husband, Bruce, as well as to the rest of her family and friends. May she rest in peace.

You, Paintr, have provided much valuable information to several cases--this one and little Tori's, in particular. Since I do not have time to do much sleuthing, it means a lot to me when others, such as yourself, take the time to do so in my stead.

It is nice to be able to sit down and catch up quickly on the cases that I follow. This is only made possible by the time and commitment that you, and others like you, show towards the victims of senseless crimes. I applaud you.

Awww! You are so nice. :blowkiss: I check the cases I have been following for any new articles anyway. Seems kinda selfish not to share.

 

[Paintr]

http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20090714/ARTICLE/907141064?Title=Jury-finds-Fast-killed-stepmother



After the verdict, Bruce Fast said he felt relieved but also sad.

"He had every opportunity in life and he just didn't succeed," he said. "I'll never see him again. The hurt has been too deep for two years. He took something that didn't belong to him."

Richard Fast, the defendant's younger brother, became visibly upset after learning his brother's fate.

"The paths he chose were different," he said. "He destroyed that which was closest to my father's heart. I used to share a bed with that monster when I was a kid."

 

[Paintr]

http://www.bradenton.com/news/local/story/1572038.html

After sentencing, Fast walked past his father, Bruce Fast, and brother, Richard Fast, and glanced in their direction. Bruce Fast looked on as his son left the courtroom for a holding cell.

The elder Fast said it would be the last time he would see his son, saying he had no plans to visit him in prison. He said seeing his son walk out in shackles brought him a sense of relief and sadness.

 

[Paintr]

I feel so sorry for Richard and Bruce. They are left to pick up the pieces and try to go on with their lives. I hope they manage to find some peace.

 

[Paintr]

http://www.bradenton.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/story/1575189.html

Bruce Fast says he carries his wife Susan’s ashes inside sea shell-shaped lockets around his neck every day, a constant reminder that she is always with him.

But as for his son, Thomas Fast, 54, now heading to prison for life for the 2007 killing and dismembering of his stepmother Susan Fast, sorting through emotions is more complex for the elder Fast.

During more than four hours of jury deliberations Monday, Bruce Fast, 76, walked the halls outside the courtroom awaiting his son’s fate. While waiting for the verdict, he reflected on observing his son sitting at a defendant’s table facing jurors.