Jamal 'JT' Thomas now as Worst Neighbor Ever details fatal shooting

Netflix's latest true crime documentary series Worst Neighbor Ever features the chilling case of Jamal 'JT' Thomas in episode three, titled Fear Thy Neighbor. The episode documents how Thomas became a nightmare neighbour to Melina and Miles Armstead, who purchased a home together in Eastmont Hills, California, where they were planning to welcome their first child.

Miles had initially developed a friendship with Thomas, but after Thomas's family was evicted from their home, he began returning to his former residence and squatting in the garage. What followed was a campaign of relentless harassment and intimidation directed at the couple. Thomas threw rocks and bricks through their windows and made explicit threats to kill Miles. He would bang and kick at their door at all hours of the night, apparently convinced that Miles was his enemy despite Miles having never done anything to warrant such hostility.

The harassment forced Miles to remain awake throughout the night, clutching a baseball bat outside the front of the property so his wife and children could sleep safely. Eventually, the couple made the difficult decision to relocate to an apartment, experiencing immediate relief from the torment.

However, when Miles returned to his former neighbourhood on an errand, Thomas was waiting with a firearm. He fatally shot Miles, leaving Melina widowed whilst heavily pregnant.

In July 2024, Jamal Thomas was found guilty of first degree murder. The following April, he received a sentence of 28.8 years to life in prison, where he remains just over a year into his sentence.

Recalling the moment she discovered her husband's death, a tearful Melina said: "I was sitting at my desk working and never in my life have I felt a feeling the way I had felt. It was like for a quick moment he was there then I felt him so close. And he felt like so far. And then I just started balling crying."