Judge bars accused killer from seeing wife

Woman is among witnesses to deadly shooting of bystander

A Harris County judge on Monday barred a 58-year-old man from contacting his wife and another witness to the fatal shooting of an innocent bystander during a domestic disturbance Thursday.

James Hickam appeared before state District Judge George Powell, who signed a no-contact order after hearing that Hickam is accused of inadvertently shooting a young mother while arguing with his wife outside their northwest Houston apartment complex.

The order means Hickam cannot call or write his wife or another witness to the shooting. If he makes his $100,000 bail, he cannot live where his wife is or talk to her.

Hickam has been charged with murder in the death of Krystle Watson, who was parking her car next to a car that Hickam’s wife was trying to get in about 2:30 p.m. Thursday.

The couple had been arguing for several hours earlier that day, said Thomas Gilliland, a Harris County sheriff ’s deputy.

Hickam’s wife was trying to leave their apartment in the Windfern Meadows complex, in the 12900 block of Windfern, near Jersey Village.

Watson had just pulled up to the complex with her 2-year-old son, inadvertently putting her — and her baby — between Hickam and his wife.

Hickam is accused of firing at least one shot toward his wife as she got into her car. A shot apparently went through Watson’s car before striking Hickam’s wife, Gilliland said.

Watson, who was in her 20s, was killed. Her toddler, who was in the car during the gunfire, was not injured, Gilliland said.

Hickam’s wife was also hit and suffered massive trauma. She was taken to a local hospital in critical condition.

Assistant District Attorney John Crump said prosecutors are still investigating and may file additional charges in connection with his wife’s injuries.

Hickam remains in the Harris County Jail in lieu of bail.

His defense attorney, Thomas Martin, declined to comment on the case.

In 2004, Hickam pleaded guilty to assaulting a family member, his only prior charge in Harris County.

Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle James Hickam, 58, who appeared in a Harris County court on Monday, is charged with murder, accused of fatally shooting a bystander while trying to shoot his wife.