My son was murdered in Union County NC

[Sarah Emerson]

On Oct. 11th, 2006, my son Christopher Brynarsky 32 yrs. old, was shot by Mark Stephen Thomas 23. Chris never woke up. His employee Adam ran to him with in seconds of him being shot, and said Chris looked asleep. Thomas, left the shop after shooting Chris, went to the Waffel house, called the police and turned himself in.
Chris owned Union County Customs auto body shop, his wife Dana worked in the office. They have five young children. Chris was grooming his two older sons, Cody 11 and Casey 10 to learn the art of custom paint and body. He wanted his sons to carry on the business. Chirs told me the last time I saw him, he believed his youngest son Cameran 7, will be a champion dirt motor bike rider, we talked about how creative Cameran is like is father. Casey would be the salesman as well as a master mechanic, Cody at his young age 11, can already take a bumper off a car. Chris told me Cody learned quickly how to take trim off a vehicle. These boys are talanted, their father had plans for them to all work together. Chris has two daughters, Deja 9 and Lexy 6. Chris told me he would not have to worry about the girls, their three brothers will always be around to protect them.
Out of anger Thomas killed Chirs. I wonder if he knows how many lives this tradedy touched. Dana lost her soul mate, the children lost their father, I lost my son, for nothing.

[guest]

I am so sorry for your loss.

[Sarah Emerson]

Mark Stephen Thomas murdered my son Christopher Brynarsky Oct.11, 06. Thomas turned himself in minutes after the murder. He was released on bond four days later, bond set by Judge Christopher Bragg of only 250K. The DA Michael Parker of Union County did not argue this low bond. Thomas is free, his defense attorney is John Painter. The DA and the judge chose to ignore all the evidence, they think he is a good ole boy from Union County, has family there, and will not get into anymore trouble. The DA says since he turned hiimself in, that showed he will not run. I believe he is a danger to the public, he has not been held accountable in the past.
Thomas has no remorse for what he did to my family.
First Degree murder should be a capital case, why does this DA feel it is not.

[Sam]

I am sorry for the loss of your son. It is bad enough you lost a son. It must be very difficult to know his murderer is walking free. Why are our local judges making terrible decisions all the time?

[Sarah Emerson]

Judge Christopher Bragg is up for re-election in 08. The DA Michael Parker in 06. Union County NC has a new DA, John Snyder.
I was told by Michael Parker's office that they have lots of cases. I guess this means, cases get pushed through as fast as they can. Criminals are put back on the streets and they hope there will be no more trouble out of them. That is just not true. The criminal situation is out of control, our judges and district attorneys cannot handle it.

[OnCrime]

Sarah,
I could not agree more. I wonder how different it would be if Mark Thomas killed their son. I bet he would still be in jail- as he should be!
I am very sorry for your loss. No Mother should ever have to loose a son and his children should not have lost their father at the hands of this man. Please let us know how we can support you.

[Sarah Emerson]

Thank you for your kind words. I think it is important the voters contact the DA of Union County, NC. to express outrage for their lack of judgement. They have heard from our family but will not act. Mark Stephen Thomas is free, and I hear he is looking for a job. I guess he believes he will be free for some time. When employers do a background check they will see he is being charged with felony murder.
Please visit my son's web site, www.unioncountycustoms.com there is a link to the community outreach, there is information about fund raising for my son's family. Chris did not have life insurance. The community has also started a petition for voters to sign as well as Chris's family members. I started an online petition so friends and far away family can sign their support to revoke the bond.
Thank you again

[Sign Petition]

<a href="http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/Bond_for_Mark_Stephen_Thomas/">Revoke Bond for Mark Stephen Thomas</a> <A href="http://www.petitionspot.com" title="petitions"> Petition </A>

[Sarah Emerson]

We also have a local petition at the shop and other businesses Chris dealt with. Chris's shop, D*C Customs, is located at 8924 Scenic Dr, Mathews, NC. This is their new location. Chris was killed at the old location, he was in the process of moving his shop. He and Dana renamed their business D*C for Dana and Chris, from Union County Customs.
Channel 3 News interviewed Chris's widow, Dana. The interview was aired today.
You can view the interview www.wbtv.com/news/topstories.
My family greatly appreciates the support from the community, so many have signed the petition to review/revoke the bond but we need more. Please contact Dana at the shop for details. Her business web site is www.unioncountycustoms.com, click contact us.
Thank you
Chris's mother
Sarah

[sarah Emerson]

Sarah said:

We also have a local petition at the shop and other businesses Chris dealt with. Chris's shop, DC Customs, is located at 8924 Scenic Dr, Mathews, NC. This is their new location. Chris was killed at the old location, he was in the process of moving his shop. He and Dana renamed their business DC for Dana and Chris, from Union County Customs.
Channel 3 News interviewed Chris's widow, Dana. The interview was aired today.
You can view the interview www.wbtv.com/news/topstories.
My family greatly appreciates the support from the community, so many have signed the petition to review/revoke the bond but we need more. Please contact Dana at the shop for details. Her business web site is www.unioncountycustoms.com, click contact us.
Thank you
Chris's mother
Sarah

[Sarah Emerson]

A trail date has been set in superior court 1-4-2006 for Mark Stephen Thomas to face charges of first degree murder of Christopher Brynarsky. Our story was aired on Channel 14 news Charlotte tonight. We hope the media attention and the petition will move the Union County DA to revoke the bond.
Chris's family demands justice. We will not be silent, we will not give up.
Chris's Mother
Sarah

[sarahe222]

Very disturbing comment coming from the father of Mark Stephen Thomas. Someone asked him about his son and he said "oh, he is just in a little bit of trouble".
We already know Mark does not have a conscience, it is disturbing his father has so little regard for what his son did.
Today Dana Brynarsky was served with a summons to appear in civil court, Mark Thomas is claiming his property is in her possession. On the summons it states the property has been held by Dana since October 11, 2006.
A Sheriff served Dana with the papers, she looked at it and said who is this from. He told her Mark Thomas. Dana asked him if he knew the name, she said this is the man who killed my husband. She saw the date of Oct. 11, and told the Sheriff the meaning of that date. He was obviously shocked. Dana seeing Mark's name and the date of her husband's death brought tears to her eyes, even though the Sheriff was still there, she could not help herself.
It is disturbing that this evil man will not leave Dana Brynarsky alone. He has just not done enough to this family

[oldcrazimoma]

Sarah, this is so sad that this is the way the system works. 10 years ago, my best friend was murdered by her husband then he hid her body. She was found 31 days later. Her children could not even see her to say good bye. Her youngest was 4 then, for years she asked me where her mom was. But yet her parents had to hire a lawyer to get control of her remains. He was legally her husband, he had say so over what to do with her. I learned then the "system" just does not make sense.

[Sarah]

Our family will have to endure the trauma of a trial. It has been nearly a year that my son was murdered, now I along with his wife will have to sit through a trial. As the day of the start of the trial gets closer, I am feeling so much stress. I want this cup to pass by me. I never knew what sickness families go through when they face the defense of the criminal who hurt their family. It is not an experience to look forward to, I feel dread that has made me ill. I keep praying I will be able to handle this.

[lala girl]

Stay strong and you will make it through this. I can only imagine how difficult this is but do it for your son and help to put this low life away for good. I will pray for you to have the strength and courage to make it through this painful time. Once you see this through I'm sure the pain and stress will lessen knowing this scumbag is paying for his crime.

[Sarah]

My name is Sarah. I worked at the children's daycare-Childcare Network (Deja, Cameron and Lexi) I also babysat for Chris and Dana. I loved those children and Dana and Chris treated me well as their babysitter and friend. I just found out about the tragedy...I wanted to pay my respects and extend my help to Dana, if there is anything I can do, please do not hesitate to email me [e-mail] Again I am so sorry for your family.
~Sarah~

[OnCrime]

Here is an update on the case against Mark Stephen Thomas, courtesy of the Charlotte Observer:

Indian Trail man sentenced for murder
Jury finds him guilty of shooting auto shop owner over car dispute

MONROE --A superior court judge Tuesday sentenced an Indian Trail man to 12-15 years in prison for second-degree murder.

A jury found Mark Stephen Thomas, 23, guilty of shooting Chris Brynarsky with a 9 mm pistol on Oct. 11. Thomas admitted he shot Brynarsky, 32, but pleaded not guilty because he said he did it in self-defense.

During the weeklong trial witnesses described a long-running disagreement over a car that ended in a deadly face-off in Brynarsky's auto shop.

From the witness stand, Thomas told the jury tension arose between the men when he began nagging Brynarsky to finish painting his Toyota MR2, which Thomas said he paid Brynarsky $6,500 to do.

According to testimony, on Oct. 11 Thomas went to Brynarsky's auto shop, Union County Customs, off Sherin Lane.

Witnesses testified the two men argued, and Thomas pulled his pistol, shot twice in the air, then once at Brynarsky. Thomas said he fired because Brynarsky pulled a shotgun after threatening to kill him several times.

In the first murder trial of his career, District Attorney John Snyder argued that by going to the shop with a loaded pistol, Thomas took the law in his own hands. Snyder characterized Thomas as the aggressor and sought a first-degree murder verdict.

Thomas's attorney, John Painter, described him as a "passive person" and argued that Brynarsky was the aggressor. He said Thomas has a license to carry a concealed weapon, which he used to protect himself. He cited a 911 call Thomas made asking for a police officer to escort him to the shop to get his car parts.

Had the jury found Thomas guilty of first-degree murder, Thomas could have spent the rest of his life in prison.

The audience in the courtroom Tuesday morning sat quietly waiting for Judge Ronald Spivey to deliver a sentence. Before Spivey took his chair, a sheriff's deputy handed out tissues to people in the audience on both sides.

They were useful as members of Brynarsky's family tearfully described, from the witness stand, what kind of person Brynarsky was and how his death has affected them.

Fighting through tears, his wife, Dana, described the pain of raising their five children without him.

His sister described a man who always took care of his family.

"It was a family's way of life that was taken," said Carter Steine, Brynarsky's stepfather. "Not just Chris' life."

SHAWN CETRONE
[e-mail]
Link to article: www.charlotte.com/local/story/303234.html

[Sarah]

Mark Stephen Thomas was convicted of second degree murder. One juror would not convict him for first degree murder. Thomas was sentenced to only 12 years.
The juror was a woman. That woman knows now what she has done.

[Sarah Emerson]

There are two articles posted on craigslist charlotte under local news by Jillian Leamy. They are more detailed of what happened on Tuesday. The Charlotte Observer did not mention Chris had a mother or that she was at the trial. Chris's mother and father, his step father, sister, brothers, aunt, nephew, wife, and friends were there.

[jay]

hello sarah....Because of my work schedual i was only able to make it to the trial for a few hours on friday the 28th....i met you breifly...im not sure if u remember because i know you must of had alot going through your head.....but i am adam's brother.....and i just wanted to post here and say i hope at this time you feel a little closure...now that mark is in prison....i will continue to pray for you and your family.....god bless you all.....

[Sarah]

Hello Jay
Thank you for showing support in this dark time. I appreciate Adam being so strong as well as Mr. Black and Mike. None of us looked forward to the trial, it was a hard thing for all of us go through. All of us knew what happened that terrible day, but it is always uncertain what a jury will decide. Eleven jurors were for a first degree verdict, only one juror voted for second degree. We were that close to real justice. We will not have to worry about Mark Thomas for twelve years, the children will be grown by the time he gets out. I believe the Judge had that in mind when he sentenced him.
Take care

[Just Curious]

Sarah,

I am very sorry for your loss! How do you find out about jury votes?

[Sarah]

I asked.

[Just Curious]

Sarah,

I don't understand...who do you ask? I thought the only ones who know are the jury members themselves. Did you ask them?

[Sarah]

I never spoke to anyone in the jury. I have not seen any interview of them either. I don't know at this point if the media has interviewed any of the jurors. I would like to know their thoughts now after finding out the sentence of second degree first time offenders is so light. Would the 11had held out and would the one juror gone along with the others. First degree murder and Second degree murder are almost the same thing. One would have to know what the defendant was thinking when he aimed a gun at the victim and pulled the trigger. Was he trying to kill this person or was he trying to seriously hurt him. That one thought makes the difference between life in prison or several years in prison. The defendant did aim high, at the upper part of Chris's body, surely he must have known shooting in this area could kill.

[NC State Inmates]

DOC Number: 1040573
;D
Inmate Status:
ACTIVE
Name(s): THOMAS, MARK

Demographics
Gender: MALE Race: WHITE
Age: 24 Birth Date: 10/07/1983
Primary Offense:
Admission Date: 10/02/2007
Admitting Location: CENTRAL PRISON
Special Characteristics: REGULAR
Custody Classification: CLOSE
Next Custody Review Date: 04/01/2008
Control Status: REGULAR POPULATION Next Control Review: UNKNOWN
Number of Infractions: 0 Last Infraction On: N/A
Current Location: CENTRAL PRISON
Previous Location: UNION COUNTY
Last Movement: NEW ADMISSION On: 10/02/2007
Record Contents (NEW SENTENCE CALCULATION PENDING)
Detainers? N Escapes? N

[NC Inmate Info]

DOC Number: 1040573
Inmate Status:ACTIVE
Name(s): THOMAS, MARK
Demographics
Gender: MALE Race: WHITE
Age: 24 Birth Date: 10/07/1983
Conviction Date: Total Term:
Projected Release Date: UNAUDITED
Primary Offense:
Admission Date: 10/02/2007
Admitting Location: CENTRAL PRISON
Special Characteristics: REGULAR
Custody Classification: CLOSE
Next Custody Review Date: 04/01/2008
Control Status: REGULAR POPULATION
Next Control Review: UNKNOWN
Number of Infractions: 0 Last Infraction On: N/A

Current Location: LANESBORO C.I.
Previous Location: CENTRAL PRISON
Last Movement: RECEIVED FROM CENTRAL PRISON On: 10/17/2007

Record Contents (NEW SENTENCE CALCULATION PENDING)
Detainers? N Escapes? N

[Lola]

I am so sorry about the murder of your son, Sarah. I know exactly how you feel because my 34 year old son was murdered on January 28, 2006 by his abusive wife. After almost an entire year of her going into court and the Defense asking for another continuance, she finally pleaded Guilty to First Degree Murder on January 8, 2007 and was sentenced to 30 years with no chance of parole.

My son was a good man with two beautiful daughter's who are now 17 and 13 years old. He didn't deserve to be physically and mentally abused by his wife. (his murderer was NOT the mother of his daughters). They did not have children together....Thank God!

I really feel your anguish about the trial, because I often wondered if Troy's murderer hadn't pleaded guilty, if I would have been able to handle the stress a trial would have caused. I don't know if I could have.

You can read about my Troy and his life and his murder at www.boomspeed.com/lolarry/ I built a website to tell his story and also have written a book about his life and his murder. I want his memory to live on forever, and I want the future generations of our family to know the TRUE story of his murder.

I will check back to see how the trial is going and please hang in there. You will get justice for your Chris.

God Bless You, Sarah.

[Lola]

Sarah, I have no idea how I missed those last two posts.

I'm so glad that he is in prison, but so sorry that they didn't him find him Guilty of First Degree Murder. That is exactly why we were so glad when my son's wife took a plea agreement and got the 30 years without parole. She knew the evidence was there to convict her and she could have gotten 45 to Life. Part of me wanted her to go to trial, but another part of me was afraid of one juror messing it up for us. Even though we feel that she deserves life in prison, how do we know that 30 years will NOT be her LIFE? She may not make it 30 years.

Now that the Trial is over in your son's case, I hope that the healing can begin. I don't think it's ever possible to completely heal from the death of a child, but we do learn to go on and try to concentrate on the living when we can. It's going on two years and I still cry at least once every day. I can not even stand to think of the Holidays this year again. Our second Christmas without our Troy.

I will think of you and your family and God Bless You.

[Sarah Emerson]

I believe you do know what I am going through. My son died for nothing. I was devastated when I got the call about Chris a year ago. After several months my family thought I was making progress, I wondered why they thought that. I did become very stressed before the trial, then after it was over, I had a set back. My family believes the trial took me back in time , I was reliving the horror again. It has been a month since the trial and it has been hard on me. My boy's life was important to many but I do not believe the justice system has regard for human life. 12 years is an insult to my family and my son's memory. I want to scream at someone, my son's name is Chris, he had a life, he had a family, he was very much loved. Chris was executed by Mark Thomas, he showed no mercy when he aimed his gun at Chris, pulled the trigger and killed him. Yet Thomas will only serve 12 years, be a young man when he gets out and will be able to start over. I ask God everyday to help me, why did that jury let a murderer get off so lightly. As if my son was nothing. That is so hard to take, Chris's life was not worthless. I feel like the jury and the justice system did not look at my Chris and our family as real people. I don't think I will ever get over all of this, losing my son was horrible, but to feel those I looked to for justice did not feel my boy's life was valuable is more than I can bare.