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Penalty Phase At Charles Hicks Murder Trial

STROUDSBURG — The penalty phase is underway at a murder trial in Monroe County. Family members of Charles Hicks want jurors to spare his life. “Char...
life_or_death

STROUDSBURG -- The penalty phase is underway at a murder trial in Monroe County.

Family members of Charles Hicks want jurors to spare his life.

"Charles, what was it like to see your family after six years?"

"I love my family," Hicks replied.

Convicted murderer Charles Hicks of Tobyhanna said only a few words after listening to his family and former fiancée take the stand at the penalty phase of his murder trial.

On Friday, a jury in Monroe County convicted Hicks of first-degree murder for killing and dismembering Deanna Null in 2008 and scattering her body parts along two interstate highways.

His family members told jurors Hicks should not be sentenced to death.

Hicks' mother was the first on the stand and talked about his life in Texas as a high school athlete, and someone who joined the Navy.

She said a death sentence for her son would be "horrible. It's just something, it would be hard to accept, hard to imagine that he won't be here and it's just something that's hard to take."

The prosecution cross-examined Hicks' mother confirming he went AWOL from the Navy and was having drug problems.

Hicks' ex-fiancée also testified on his behalf.

She said Hicks once threatened to kill her and she jumped out of her own car while he was driving high. She said the last time they saw one another in Texas wasn't pleasant.

"The final time was when I called off the wedding. We were engaged. It was coming to my attention that there was a drug problem," she said.

Hicks' older sister told jurors her brother was always a positive role model for her now 25-year-old son.

But she said Hicks battled depression and drugs.

"My brother is not a monster. When there's drugs involved, things happen and bad things do occur. He's my brother, and no matter what, I love him."

Jurors will hear more testimony before deciding whether Hicks should be sentenced to death or spend the rest of his life in prison.

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