By Victoria Shirley
MONROE, La. (KNOE 8 News) - A nightmare, it's what the past four-years have been for a local woman, who's been wrongly accused of murder and jailed for it. In an exclusive interview, we're learning Britteny Hicks is cleared in a case where she's struggled to find justice.
"I really can't explain how I feel. I just wanted someone to hear my innocence." said Britteny Hicks. After a nearly four year ordeal, Britteny Hicks stands a free woman, cleared of wrong-doing.
Rewind to January 14th, 2009. "They are wrong, I promise they are wrong" shouted Hicks when the then 19 year old was grabbed at work, arrested and accused for the murder of Marvin Osario.
Hicks screamed her innocence as then-detective Quentin Holmes escorted her from the courthouse to the Ouachita Correctional Center, turning her life upside down. "I felt like my life was over for something I didn't do. I just wished they believed me." said Hicks looking back on the situation. She would spend a year in O.C.C plus two and half years on house arrest, all the while, maintaining her innocence. "I just felt like it was me against the world." Hicks said.
An arrest warrant signed by Quentin Holmes cites probable cause for her arrest. But their main evidence was the word of then 16 year old Kenyetta Williams, who later confessed to stabbing the victim multiple times.
Hicks says she never knew the victim or Williams. "I had never seen that girl a day of my life until they threw her in front of me." said Hicks.
District Attorney Neil Johnson later discovered William's initial description did not match Hicks. And on Thursday, the district attorneys office dismissed Hicks' case citing no credible evidence linking her to the murder. "It was a big burden off of my chest, I just felt like tons and tons of bricks were lifted off my chest." said Hicks.
All charges have been wiped away. But for Hicks, the pain and anger still remain. "My whole reputation has been ruined." Hicks says her frustration lies with the Monroe Police Department. "I just feel like if they would have done their job right, then this would have never happened." said Hicks.
After all the trouble for Hicks, her future once uncertain is now so clear for the 22 year old. "Might go to school for law, study the law so I can help innocent people, being arrested for stuff they didn't do." said Hicks. "I just want the community to know I was innocent from day one." Hicks added.
When asked if she would pursue any legal action for her ordeal, Hicks said no comment. In a statement to KNOE, Monroe Police Chief Quentin Holmes said Hicks was arrested based on probable cause at the time. He refuses to comment on the dismissal of the case.
