HICKS RETURNED TO CASS COUNTY, FACES MURDER AND ARSON CHARGES

David Lee Hicks, the man accused of intentionally setting fire to his girlfriend’s apartment on New Year’s Day was transported back to Cass County yesterday. He faces murder and arson charges for the fire that killed Michele Jones. Hicks appeared today for his first hearing in the Cass Superior Court 2. He was appointed a public defender and entered a preliminary plea of not guilty. A pretrial conference is set for May 10th, and Hicks was reprimanded to the custody of the Cass County Sheriff without bond.