A Decatur man was sentenced to life in prison for the 2022 murder of his 19-year-old ex-girlfriend, as reported by the DeKalb County District Attorney's Office. Deeron Hicks, aged 25, faced a jury and was convicted on multiple charges, including felony murder, felony murder, aggravated assault, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony. The difficult pursuit of justice for the death of Ja'Nautica Whitehead has now come to an end.
According to details released by the District Attorney's office, the DeKalb County Police Department responded on November 26, 2022, to a call concerning a car in a wooded area off Snapfinger Parkway. Upon their arrival, officers found Whitehead deceased, with gunshot injuries to the head. The investigation quickly unraveled a harrowing timeline of events showing that Whitehead had made attempts to break away from an increasingly violent Hicks after she had decided to enroll in college. The relationship, which started in high school, took a dark turn with Hicks repeatedly subjecting Whitehead to physical violence and threats.
As stated by the Office of the DeKalb County District Attorney, the prosecution revealed a pattern of controlling behavior and hostility, culminating in Hicks following Whitehead to her workplace and fatally shooting her twice in the head at close range. The conviction was secured through the efforts of Deputy Chief ADA Nicole Finnie, Senior ADA Ashley Johnson, DA Investigator Jann Polanco, and Victim Advocate Ashley King. The investigation, led by DKPD Det. D.D. Evans, was key to uncovering the details of the crime.
Hicks, arrested on December 17, 2022, without incident, was sentenced to life in prison plus 5 years by Judge Desiree Sutton Peagler following the guilty verdicts.
