
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: TUESDAY, July 17, 1990                   TAG: 9007170248
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B2   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: COLONIAL HEIGHTS                                 LENGTH: Short

MURDERER ACTED ON OWN, HICKS DEFENSE CLAIMS

The defense attorney for James Hicks, a Campbell County teacher accused of hiring a man to bludgeon his wife to death, tried to establish Monday that the trigger man "acted on his own."

Reuben Gregory Barksdale "made up his story [of Hicks' involvement] to save himself from the electric chair," defense attorney David Hawkins told prospective jurors during jury selection.

The trial was moved to Colonial Heights because of extensive publicity in Campbell County.

Hicks, 44, a member of a respected and prominent family in the Campbell County community of Evington, is charged with capital murder. He says he is innocent.

His wife, Lena, was killed on Jan. 8, her 45th birthday. Authorities first ruled her death the result of a car accident.

Authorities now say Hicks hired Barksdale, a 29-year-old Lynchburg carpenter, to kill his wife and stage an accident. Barksdale had done odd jobs for Hicks in the past.

Barksdale, who is expected to be the star prosecution witness against Hicks, pleaded guilty Wednesday to capital murder, and could be sentenced to the electric chair. A sentencing date has not been set.

by CNB