EX-BAR HEAD FACES COCAINE CHARGE

David Thomas Waives Right To Preliminary Hearing

A Huntsville lawyer and former Limestone County Bar Association president
charged with cocaine possession waived his right to a preliminary hearing
Wednesday in Madison County District Court.

David Ashby Thomas, 40, of 1519 Chandler Road, Huntsville, was arrested by
Huntsville police on March 1 and charged with possession of crack cocaine.
Thomas was released in lieu of a $1,000 bond.

Thomas was detained on Feb. 28 after a motorist reported an erratic driver
on I-565 and Governors Drive, said Assistant District Attorney Don
Rizzardi. When police arrived at 101 Sivley Road, a truck driver had
Thomas' vehicle blocked so it could not enter traffic, he said.

The officer said Thomas seemed delusional, Rizzardi said. A search of the
car netted a small amount of crack cocaine, he said.

The possession charge is a felony. Conviction could mean 10 years in prison.

But Thomas, who is not currently practicing law, will be allowed to enter a
drug diversion program, Rizzardi said.

Under the diversion program, the defendant pleads guilty and agrees to go
through a treatment program and to comply with other conditions. When the
conditions are met, the charges are dropped.

District Judge Karen Hall referred the case to a grand jury for further
investigation.

Marc Sandlin, Thomas' attorney, said his client is out of state and has
enrolled in a treatment program. The Alabama State Bar has not revoked or
suspended Thomas' law license, but he faces disciplinary action from the
organization, Sandlin said.

Thomas was admitted to the Alabama State bar in 1989 and elected president
of the Limestone County Bar Association in 2002.

He had since moved his practice to Madison County.