BY RUSSELL EDEM
redem@gbtribune.com

The Barton County Attorney Douglas A. Matthews has filed a criminal case against Freddie Alec Thomas on Wednesday charging him with one count of murder in the first degree. Thomas is the suspect in the shooting death of Jeremy Saldana on Sept. 11.
A first appearance will likely be held either Thursday or Friday, Matthews said. No time has been set and it will depend on the availability of the judges.
During these proceedings, Thomas will appear before a judge and be advised of the charge against him. A preliminary hearing date will also be set, and Thomas will also be asked about legal representation.
The bond on the case is currently set at $1 million.
Law enforcement agencies involved in the investigation are the Great Bend Police Department, the Barton County Sheriff’s Office and the Kansas Bureau of Investigation.