Ashville man sentenced in robbery

Jerry Alan Hicks Jr.

A 30 year old Ashville man was sentenced to 22 years in prison Friday in connection with the robbery of two women at Lakeside Park.

St. Clair County Circuit Judge Bill Weathington sentenced Jerry Alan Hicks Jr., on two counts of first-degree robbery. Hicks is also to serve five years supervised probation once he is released.

Weathington also sentenced Hicks to 20 years for second-degree kidnapping and gave the defendant a 12-month sentence for attempting to elude police. Those sentences are to run concurrently with his 22-year sentence for robbery.

Hicks had previously pleaded guilty to all charges against him.

During the Friday’s sentencing hearing, St. Clair County District Attorney Richard Minor said Hicks' actions not only traumatized the victims he robbed, but his action affected the entire community, making its members feel like the park was not as safe as it once was.

One of the victims, Mary Alison Richard, testified Friday that she and a friend went to the park to exercise.

She said Hicks grabbed her and placed a black-handle knife against her throat. She saw the knife when she managed to push the defendant’s hand down away from her throat.

Minor said Richard had a cut on her chin and throat.

Richard said Hicks eventually let the woman lose, saying he was sorry, before running away.

Hicks led police on a high-speed chase, but he was stopped at the St. Clair/Talladega County line on Alabama 34. Hicks drove straight toward the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office S.W.A.T. Team, which was assisting in the search of a missing man at the Stemley Bridge.

On the stand Friday, Hicks denied he had a knife but he said that it was the black cover to a cell phone that he held against Richard’s throat.

Hicks said he didn’t mean to hurt the woman. He also apologized to the victim and to her family, who were present at Friday’s hearing.

Hicks said he was addicted to pain killers at the time of the incident.

“I wasn’t thinking clearly.

Hicks told authorities he went to the park to clear his head.

Authorities said the 14 months Hicks has served in the St. Clair County Jail will go towards his 22-year sentence.