Lake County Superior Court
Judge James C. Kimbrough
Prosecutor: Michael Greener, Marilyn Hrnjak
Defense: J. Robert Vegter, Nile Stanton, Kevin McShane
Date of Murder: February 5, 1978
Victim(s): Norton Miller B/M/28 and Stephen Crosby B/M/26 (No relationship to Hicks)
Method of Murder: stabbing with knife
Summary: Hicks attended a party at the apartment of a neighbor. Hicks was seen waving a knife in his hand while arguing with Norton Miller and Stephen Crosby. They were later found stabbed to death in an alley outside the apartments.
Conviction: Murder (2 counts) (Jury hung on death sentence)
Sentencing: September 1, 1978 (Death Sentence)
Aggravating Circumstances: b(8) 2 Murders
Mitigating Circumstances:
19 years old at time of murder, no prior criminal record.
Direct Appeal: None. Following his sentencing, Hicks filed a Motion to Correct Errors and a Motion for Competency Hearing. On April 2, 1980, trial Judge James C. Kimbrough, following the appointment of two psychiatrists, granted the motions and held that at the time of the defendant’s trial, he was incompetent. A new trial was held on November 12-21, 1980 with Nile Stanton and Kevin McShane representing Hicks, and Deputy Prosecutor Marilyn Hrnjak representing the State. Two eyewitnesses, who had identified Hicks in the first trial as menacing the victims with a knife in his hand, recanted their testimony in the second trial. Other evidence confirming Hicks' actual innocence was also presented. (See webpage of defense counsel Nile Stanton, "The Ordeal of Larry Hicks: How an Innocent Man was Almost Executed .") Hicks was found Not Guilty of the charges.
As of July 1, 2006