GEORGETOWN, Ky. (LEX 18) — Joseph Hicks was sentenced to 45 years in prison for the murder of Sheena Baxter.
45 years - that’s how long a judge sentenced Joseph Hicks for the murder of Sheena Baxter. Her sister says Hicks ‘never let go’ after their breakup @LEX18News pic.twitter.com/mlhv4fCWv3
— Leigh Searcy (@LSearcLex) July 11, 2022
Christa Crumley, Baxter’s sister, was in the courtroom Monday. “I've changed so much because of this,” Crumley said. “I had to fight to find myself again, and now I fight to be my sister's voice since he took that away from me.”
Hicks pleaded guilty to the murder of Sheena Baxter. Hicks killed Baxter around Valentine's Day 2020 when she disappeared from her home in Georgetown. He's also believed to have disposed of her body in a Madison County storage unit.
Commonwealth’s Attorney Sharon Muse said that the killing of Baxter was intentional and planned.
“All murder is horrific,” Muse said. “This one was particularly horrific — he abused her body when it was over — it was things that no family should have to think about or hear about.”
Crumley said that Hicks was overbearing and stalked Baxter constantly. If Baxter had not been killed when she was, it would’ve happened eventually because Hicks was “determined,” Crumley said.
Crumley said that Baxter will have to face her every time he comes up for parole.
“I’ll always be my sister’s voice,” Crumley said. “No matter what.”
Hicks' sentencing includes 25 years on the murder charge and 20 years for robbery.
