Thomas v. Commonwealth

WILLIS, Judge.

On appeal from his convictions of four counts of rape, in violation of Code § 18.2-61, and one count of attempted sodomy, in violation of § 18.2-67.1, Ralph Deron Jamal Thomas contends that the trial court erred (1) in denying his motion to set aside the verdict based on insufficient proof of jurisdiction and (2) in denying his motion for a mistrial based on improper argument by the Commonwealth’s attorney. For the following reasons, we reverse and remand.

I. BACKGROUND

In April 1996, Thomas married the mother of the eleven-year-old victim, W.B., and moved into her home.

The child…