"Let's get out of here," Gordon Thomas, 63, instructed members of his family after a jury convicted him this afternoon on all but one of 22 sex charges.
The retired elementary school teacher, who lists himself in the phone book as Commander Thomas, stood impassively as the jury chairman declared him guilty on all charges except count #13.
After all the convictions were read, Thomas let out a sigh and dropped back into his chair with less than military bearing.
Our photograph shows him outside the courthouse following today's proceedings, retrieving his vehicle and demanding to know who our photographer works for.
Family members sitting in the front row of the courtroom began gasping and weeping after the fourth or fifth conviction was registered.
Cancer doctor
The jury's verdict came shortly after noon today, following eight hours of deliberations that started yesterday.
Superior Court Justice Larry Whalen rejected a Crown request to have Thomas kept in custody pending sentencing.
Instead, the judge set a sentencing date of Monday, March 10 and ordered Thomas released on his previous $10,000 bail arrangement, which includes a requirement to remain in Algoma and to never be alone in the presence of young females.
Thomas's lawyer, Donald Orazietti, told Justice Whalen that he'll be presenting a report from his client's cancer doctor for consideration at time of sentencing.
After-trial cigarette
After today's proceedings concluded, Thomas embraced some of his front-row supporters, made the "let's get out of here" comment, and left alone to get his vehicle, waiting inside it with a cigarette until family members emerged from the courthouse.
Thomas is a 63-year-old retired teacher who worked at William Merrifield, Parkland, G.M. Johnston, Manitou Park, Francis H. Clergue, River View and James Lyons schools.
The complainants include female students at all of those schools, and also members of a sea cadets corps where Thomas was an officer.
The 22 charges against Thomas included four counts of rape, 13 counts of indecent assault, four counts of gross indecency and one count of sexual assault.
About 35 spectators and media representatives were in the courtroom when the verdict was delivered today.
Photos of Gordon Thomas after the trial
Retrieving his mini-van from the courthouse parking lot Confronting our photographer Catching a smoke in his mini-van while awaiting his family Helping family and supporters into his vehicle Closing the door Crossing to the driver's side Entering the mini-van Convicted sex offender Gordon Thomas drives off
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