Prelim rescheduled for Vallejo couple accused of robbery-murder

Hicks, McCraven return to Department 4 at 9 a.m. May 4

A Vallejo man and woman accused of a robbery-murder in August 2018 in Vallejo were scheduled to appear in Solano County Superior Court last week for the setting of a preliminary hearing, but the proceedings were rescheduled until next month.

Devonte Levan Hicks, 24, and Jessica Marie McCraven, 33, appeared April 1 in Judge E. Bradley Nelson’s courtroom, most likely via a remote teleconference hook-up as the latest pandemic continues, and are set to return at 9 a.m. May 13 for the proceeding, plus a readiness conference, in Department 4 in the Hall of Justice in Fairfield.

Since being taken into custody, their preliminary hearing date and other proceedings have been delayed more than once, including a rescheduling last summer and one earlier this year.

Hicks is represented by defense attorney Thomas Maas of Fairfield. McCraven is represented by Fairfield criminal defense attorney Laura Petty.

Hicks and McCraven are being held without bail in Solano County Jail in connection with the Aug. 20 killing of a man found unresponsive in a hotel room on Enterprise Drive.

The District Attorney’s Office filed its complaint on Aug. 24, the same day it provided the court with their records of arrests and prosecutions, or RAP sheets.

Besides first-degree murder, they are charged with robbery during the commission of a murder, a special circumstances enhancement.

Additionally, Hicks is charged with possession of a firearm, possession of prohibited ammunition, presenting a false ID to a police officer, and probation violation.

Besides the main charge, McCraven is charged with three counts of identity theft, possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, driving with an invalid license, two counts of check forgery, and burglary.

If found guilty of firstdegree murder charge with the robbery enhancement, Hicks and McCraven may face life in prison without the possibility of parole.