News

Actions

Second-degree murder charge dropped against Chesapeake man

Posted at 7:17 PM, May 23, 2018
and last updated 2018-05-23 22:48:41-04

NORFOLK, Va. - A 21-year-old Chesapeake man was arrested for second-degree murder earlier this year, but those charges were dropped Wednesday.

Jahmel Hicks

Jahmel Hicks remains held at the Chesapeake Jail for a separate charge.

Hicks’ attorney, James Broccoletti, said Hicks acted in self-defense and is happy about the outcome of the court's decision.

“Mr. Hicks was very candid with the police and admitted that he shot in self-defense, so the police had probable cause to arrest him at the time with what was apparent to them,” said Broccoletti. “They continued their investigation and we continued our investigation, and all the facts and circumstances came together. We got their forensic report back, which painted a different picture.”

We reached out to the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office, which provided the following statement:

This Office nolle prossed one count of Second Degree Murder and one count of Use of a Firearm in the Commission of a Felony.  He remains charged with one count of Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. He is in custody on that charge. He’s also in custody for charges in Chesapeake.  The homicide remains under investigation and other charges in the matter in the future are possible.

“The evidence both from a forensic standpoint and witnesses established that Mr. Hicks acted in self-defense,” said Broccoletti.

News 3 was there after the shooting happened in late January when police were called to the 800 block of Cedar Street.

Neighbors told News 3 they called police when they heard shots fired.

20-year-old Antonio Parker was found inside an apartment suffering from a gunshot wound and was taken to the hospital, where he later died.

Hicks was arrested the following day.

Hicks is currently being held in the Chesapeake Jail, according to Virginia Department of Corrections' website.

He is scheduled to appear in court on June 18 for the charges in Chesapeake.