A federal jury in Oklahoma has convicted a 22-year-old man of murder in Indian Country, a crime that could land him in prison for the rest of his life.
Elijah Dewayne Hicks, of Okemah, Oklahoma, was found guilty of Murder in Indian Country, Use, Carry, Brandish, and Discharge of a Firearm During and in Relation to a Crime of Violence, and Causing the Death of a Person in the Course of a Violation of Title 18 United States Code § 924(c).
The jury delivered its verdict on Thursday, February 17, 2022, after a four-day trial that began on Tuesday, February 15, 2022.
According to the prosecution, Hicks intentionally killed his cousin, Timothy Ray Buckley, by shooting him four times on August 7, 2021. Hicks then fled the scene, leading to a four-month-long manhunt by the FBI.
The investigation was a collaborative effort between the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, Muscogee (Creek) Lighthorse Police, and the Okemah Police Department.
U.S. Attorney Christopher Wilson praised the work of his office and its law enforcement partners, saying that prosecuting violent crime in Indian Country remains a top priority.
Hicks faces up to life imprisonment for his crimes. He was remanded to the custody of the United States Marshal pending sentencing.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Charles Bucca and Jordan Howanitz. Sentencing will be scheduled after completion of a presentence report.
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Key Facts
- State: Oklahoma
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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