Train Jumper, Murder Suspect Had Criminal History

NBC10 researched Thomas W. Borden's history through the Pennsylvania court system. Here's what we found --

The Bucks County murder suspect who flung himself in front of an oncoming SEPTA train in Jenkintown, Montgomery County, Pa., this morning, had a criminal history dating back to 2005 from records NBC10 researched through the Pennsylvania court system.

Those records reveal what one of his defense attorneys describes as "a great deal of trouble."

Thomas W. Borden, 32, died after throwing himself in front of a train as police were chasing him on the tracks between the Noble and Jenkintown stations. That was right before 11 a.m. Police had been pursing Borden for nearly an hour after they spotted him speeding down Route 309. The Sheriff's office in Schuyler County, New York issued a homicide warrant for Borden just this morning, accusing him of killing Daniel K. Bennett. Bennett's neighbors told our NBC affiliate in New York that Bennett was dating Borden's ex-wife.

Borden survived the initial impact with the train, but died a short time later at Abington Memorial Hospital.

As soon as police identified Borden, we began going through online records for the state's court system to see if Borden had a criminal history in Pennsylvania. We found offenses dating back to 2005, including a warrant Bucks County had issued for Borden's arrest on April 2, for a parole violation. Here are the cases where Borden either pleaded guilty or was found guilty:

  • 2005: Arrest for Public Drunkenness and Disorderly Conduct/Fighting. Borden spends three days in prison.
  • 2006: Arrest for Harassment, Lewd and Threatening Language. Borden spends three days in prison.
  • 2006: Arrest on Forgery, Bad Check and Theft charges.
  • 2007: Arrest for Simple Assault, Criminal Mischief. Borden sentenced to 12 months probation.
  • 2010: Arrest for Accident Involving Death or Injury, Operating Vehicle With License Suspended or Revoked, Following Too Closely. Borden sentenced to 24 months probation.

The probation violation was for the most recent case in 2010.

Three different defense attorneys represented Borden through these cases. We were able to reach one of them Monday evening. Kevin Mark Wray represented Borden on the forgery case.

"I remember him because he was in a great deal of trouble," Wray recalled. "He had a bunch of legal problems involving money." Wray said he also remembered Borden because he was very personable and was trying to get his life back on track.

"He wanted to go out west, Oregon or Washington, I think, and be a forest firefighter," Wray said.

During today's police pursuit, Borden ditched his pickup truck in the parking lot of a Jenkintown elementary school. As a precautionary measure, the local schools were put on lockdown for about an hour.

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