Austin woman pleads guilty to two felony murder charges in Mower County District Court

An Austin woman facing murder, manslaughter and drug sale charges in Mower County District Court stemming from the overdose deaths of two people in Austin in March and May of 2022 has pleaded guilty.  

43-year old Yashica Shenay Thomas pleaded guilty Thursday to two separate felony 3rd degree murder charges stemming from the overdose death of a 23-year old Austin man on March 8th and from the overdose death of a 22-year old Austin woman at a residence in the 1100 block of 2nd Ave. SW on May 21st of 2022.  Authorities determined that the deaths were due to the toxic effects of fentanyl, and Thomas had also been charged with felonies for 2nd degree manslaughter, culpable negligence, creating unreasonable risk and 2nd degree drugs, sale of any Schedule I or II narcotic in a park zone in both cases.  Four additional felony charges of 2nd degree drugs, sale of 10 grams or more of methamphetamine with intent to sell, 2nd degree drugs, sale of any Schedule I or II narcotic in a park zone, 3rd degree drug possession and 3rd degree drugs, possession of Schedule I or II narcotics in a park zone against Thomas stemming from a separate incident that took place on August 30th, 2022 were all dismissed with her guilty pleas.

Thomas initially pleaded not guilty to all of the charges against her, and sentencing for Thomas in Mower County District Court has been scheduled for March 9th.