Judge, 74, still in critical condition after beating

SAVANNAH — A 74-year-old judge remained hospitalized in critical condition Monday, a week after he was found severely beaten inside his law office in Jesup, Ga.

Friends said Glenn Thomas Jr., a Recorders Court judge who served 30 years as district attorney for the Brunswick Judicial Circuit, has been unable to undergo surgery because of swelling in his brain.

Jerry Hollis, a longtime friend, said he visits Thomas daily at Memorial Health University Medical Center in Savannah. He said the judge's condition hasn't changed for several days.

"He's on a respirator, in a medically induced coma," Hollis said.

Thomas was found beaten and bloodied June 25 at his office desk. Authorities say a man struck him several times in the head with a blunt weapon, took his wallet and car keys and stole his pickup truck.

Bobby Rex Stribling, 45, has been charged with aggravated battery in Thomas' beating. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation arrested Stribling last Tuesday in Brunswick, where they found the judge's stolen truck.

Wayne County Sheriff John Carter said last week that Stribling confessed to the crime, but authorities have given no motive.

Stribling was released from prison in 2004 after serving eight years for theft and other charges prosecuted by Thomas' office during his last year as district attorney.