Opinion ID: 3045004
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Wicker Murder (1982)

Text: While serving his life sentence for the West murder, Arthur joined a work release program. While on work release, Arthur had an affair with Judy Wicker. In 1982, Judy Wicker offered Arthur $10,000 in exchange for killing her husband, Troy Wicker. Arthur accepted the offer. The day before he murdered Wicker, Arthur asked an acquaintance, Patricia Green, for ammunition. Green obliged. Arthur told Green that the bullets would be used to kill someone. On the night of Troy Wicker’s murder, Arthur wore an “afro” wig and dark face makeup to disguise himself as a black man. He then entered Troy Wicker’s bedroom while he slept and murdered Wicker by shooting him in the right eye at close range with a pistol. Troy Wicker died almost instantly. When officers arrived at the Wicker residence, they found Troy Wicker murdered in his bed; his wife, Judy Wicker, lying on the floor with traces of blood on her face; and Judy Wicker’s sister kneeling beside her. Judy Wicker told investigators that, when she returned home after dropping her children off at school, she found a black man in her home. She said that the intruder raped her, knocked her unconscious, and shot her husband. 4 Case: 12-13952 Date Filed: 01/06/2014 Page: 5 of 53 After discovering discrepancies in Arthur’s work release time and payment logs, an investigation into Arthur’s work-release activities began. During a search, $2,000 in cash was found in Arthur’s personal belongings. Thereafter, authorities questioned Arthur and, subsequently, arrested him for Troy Wicker’s murder. Judy Wicker had collected $90,000 in life insurance proceeds due to Troy Wicker’s death and paid Arthur from this sum. Judy Wicker testified for the prosecution at Arthur’s trial. Her testimony recounted the facts described above. Other evidence showed that Arthur had the opportunity and means to kill Troy Wicker. And, evidence—including Arthur’s possession of a large amount of cash after the murder—substantiated Judy Wicker’s testimony that she hired Arthur to kill her husband. Other evidence also substantiated Judy Wicker’s testimony, including her actions on the day of the murder, Arthur’s “afro” wig and dark makeup disguise, and Arthur’s efforts to dispose of the murder weapon. Expert witnesses testified that the cartridge casings and bullets at the murder scene were consistent with the type of ammunition that Green obtained for Arthur the day before Arthur murdered Troy Wicker.