Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, July 31, 1990 TAG: 9007310300
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: A-3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: COLONIAL HEIGHTS LENGTH: Medium
Hicks testified at the start of the third week of his trial on charges of having Lena Hicks killed by Reuben G. Barksdale, a high school dropout and carpenter.
Barksdale has pleaded guilty to beating Lena Hicks to death with a 4-pound sledgehammer in the garage of her home as she was preparing to go to a church meeting Jan. 8. He then took her to an isolated area in Campbell County, where he pushed her Mercedes down an embankment to make her death, on her 45th birthday, look like an accident.
Barksdale, who has not been sentenced but faces either the death penalty or life in prison, said the murder was planned by Hicks.
Hicks' trial was moved to Colonial Heights because of extensive publicity in the Campbell County area.
"We had a lot of the same interests," Hicks testified. "She liked old things - history, taking care of old people. . . . She was a caring, warm person."
Hicks appeared relaxed on the stand, at times sounding like he was engaged in conversation with his defense attorney, Bryan K. Selz.
Hicks tried to defuse the prosecution's allegations that he was unaffectionate toward his wife and children and had his house burned so he could build one more to his liking.
Hicks said he and his wife worked closely in renovating the two-story plantation house they moved into shortly after marrying in 1976.
He said they also got along well with the domestic duties.
"We didn't divide up things by sex roles," Hicks said. "We did what had to be done and we got along well."
Hicks said that after the house burned in early 1988, his relationship with his wife still was very intimate, although she was depressed by the loss.
"Our relationship was as close as it had been, if not closer," he said. "It grew and matured. We became even closer. We were best friends as well as lovers. We just grew to be a part of each other."
Barksdale had testified that he started the March 2, 1988, fire that destroyed the house at the behest of Hicks so that Hicks could build a house with a Williamsburg design.
Hicks on Monday emphatically denied the allegation and noted that when the house burned, he lost many antiques that he and his wife had either bought or been given by their families.
He also denied having a poor relationship with his children.
"I know I've been presented as not caring about my children. That's just utter nonsense."
Hicks said he would drive them to school so he could spend time with them. Hicks added that he would also try to have lunch with his sons at school when it was possible.
Hicks was to continue his testimony today with a cross-examination by Campbell County Commonwealth's Attorney Neil S. Vener.
by CNB