Case of Vallejo couple linked to 2018 murder moved to Vallejo courtroom

Proceedings continue for Devonte L. Hicks and Jessica M. McCraven who are scheduled for a mid-October preliminary hearing

Legal proceedings continue for a Vallejo couple accused of a 2018 robbery-murder and they will face a mid- October preliminary hearing in Solano County Superior Court in Vallejo.

Devonte Levan Hicks, 24, and Jessica Marie McCraven, 33, were scheduled to appear Wednesday in Department 4 in the Justice Center in Fairfield, but court records indicate they have been ordered to appear at 10 a.m. Oct. 7 in Department 7, Judge Tim Kam’s courtroom, in the Justice Building in Vallejo, where they will face a motion to amend. At that proceeding, Hicks also is scheduled to face a readiness conference, and both are scheduled for a preliminary hearing at 8:30 a.m. Oct. 14, also in Department 7.

For months, the case, as it has proceeded through the Solano criminal court system, the couple has faced Judge E. Bradley Nelson. Publicly available records did not show why Kam is currently overseeing the case, which has been subject to a series of delays in recent past months.

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

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 in Vallejo.

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

Additionally, Hicks was initially charged with possession of a firearm, possession of prohibited ammunition, presenting a false ID to a police officer, and six counts of felony probation.

Besides the main charge, McCraven initially was 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.

The Solano County District Attorney filed its complaint against the pair on Aug. 24, 2018.

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