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BillCA is absoltely right, and the argument he presents should be the foundation for Thomas' defense. A jury should have no problem identifying with Thomas in that regard.
Also, did you guys catch the language that Melvin (the initial civilian on scene who hit Roach with his car) used... he said "...don't you see that shirt?"
The language is peculiar. Melvin did not say "He's wearing a uniform", or "Look at his badge".
This would lead me to believe he most certainly wasn't in what we've come to consider a standard "beat-cop" blue shirt/pants with full belt kit, badge, and hat. He was probably wearing uniform pants and a dark collared shirt with embroidered badge. He almost certainly wasn't wearing a full utility belt.
I don't think it will be a big stretch to convince a jury that Thomas was still in fear of his life, and believed Roach to be a part of the crew that was robbing him.
Another aspect that might come into play is that Roach is also African American. If it had been a white man (even with tattoos) that got out of a tinted SUV and ordered Thomas to the ground, it might be harder to convine a jury that guy was part of the crew... but being a black man... we'll have to see.
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