only a few minutes after Judge Blaylock set his bail, and Thomas was immediately released. Thomas later admitted that he mixed alcohol and Xanax (he claimed the Xanax was prescribed by his physician for anxiety) and it caused him to have a bizarre episode and a nervous breakdown. Thomas claimed the stress of the Grand Jury investigation caused him to drink alcohol frequently and abuse Xanax. Resignation as mayor Thomas' arrest was the lead story on all Dallas and Tyler, Texas television news stations for several days after the bizarre arrest for public intoxication. A few days later, with his criminal attorney Mike Head and his brother, sister, and father by his side, Thomas held a televised press conference in front of Gun Barrel City Hall, and he used the opportunity to harshly criticize District Attorney Donna R. Bennett for the indictment and her investigation. He claimed at the press conference he had proof that her office sent investigators to Providence, Rhode Island to investigate his activities while a student at Johnson & Wales University. There were approximately 100 people in attendance at the press conference, including every television station from Dallas and Tyler and all regional newspapers. Many citizens - and even some of the City Council members who originally supported Thomas - demanded his resignation. Thomas, however, insisted he would not resign and he would fight the perjury charge. A few weeks later, however, after serving for 54 weeks, Thomas submitted his resignation as Mayor to City Secretary Christy Eckerman. All criminal charges associated with the District Attorney and Texas Ranger investigation were dismissed by County Court at Law Judge Matt Livingston at the recommendation of then County Attorney James Owen. After his resignation, Thomas and the community were featured in dozens of publications and programs, including a feature story in Texas Monthly and a long interview on the popular national radio program This American Life, as well as feature stories by the Fort Worth Star Telegram, The Dallas Morning News, the Tyler Morning Telegraph, the Corpus Christi Caller Times, the Houston Chronicle, the Austin American Statesman, the San Antonio Express News, and many other media outlets. Two students from the University of North Texas created a thirty-minute documentary called "Political Confusion" that told the story about Thomas and his short political career. Later life and death Thomas met and became close friends with legendary swindler and convicted