By ZEINAB NAJM
Sunday Times Newspapers
TAYLOR —Eddie Hicks, 73, of Taylor was charged in connection with the fatal shooting of Barry Bellestri, 46, also of Taylor.
A news release from the Wayne County Prosector’s Office said Hicks faces one count of second-degree murder, one count of manslaughter and two counts of felony firearm charges.
He was arraigned July 22 in 23rd District Court and was given a $500,000 cash/surety bond. A probable cause conference is scheduled for Aug. 2 and a preliminary examination of the evidence against his is set for Aug. 9.
The incident took place June 15 about 5:20 p.m. when Taylor police officers were dispatched to a house in the 6400 block of Cornell for a reported shooting.
Once at the scene, officers found Bellestri on the front lawn with multiple gunshot wounds. Bellestri was transported to a local hospital by paramedics where he was pronounced dead.
Police arrested Hicks, who was Bellestri’s neighbor.
Allegedly, Hicks discharged a handgun multiple times during a physical altercation, which caused fatal wounds to Bellestri. The release said complete facts will be presented at the preliminary examination.
The charges are allegations and defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty, the news release said.
(Zeinab Najm can be reached at [email protected].)