Ann Arbor crime novelist Lisa Reardon sentenced to prison for shooting father
Lisa Reardon
Reardon, 47, told authorities she went after George Hicks and surprised him at his Brand Road home the night of Aug. 21 because she feared he would abuse her young nieces, according to excerpts of a pre-sentencing report read aloud in court Thursday.
“The only way to keep them safe was to kill him,” one probation officer recalled Lisa Reardon saying during an interview for the pre-sentencing report. She also made references to being abused by Hicks between the ages of 5 and 10 years old and said their relationship remained volatile through adulthood.
Reardon’s defense attorney, Chris Renna, challenged the report and urged Circuit Judge David Swartz to note that Reardon did not recall making that statement.
The report also noted the death of her elderly cat earlier that day prompted the assault.
“Because Godfrey died and I promised myself I’d do it,” she said.
Hicks, 68, was shot in buttocks and leg as he tried to run into his home. Authorities said he has recovered and submitted a letter to the judge that was not read in court. He has denied any wrongdoing, and no criminal investigation into his actions is under way.
Reardon pleaded guilty as charged to counts of attempted murder and felony weapons violations last month. She could have faced up to life in prison, but agreed to serve two years in deal with prosecutors. Swartz ordered her to serve a mandatory two-year sentence on the weapons charge after the initial sentence expires.
Reardon grew up in Milan and graduated from Yale with a degree in theater/playwriting, reports show. She is the author of several books, including “The Mercy Killers,” which is set in Ypsilanti.
During her brief comments to the court Thursday, Reardon avoided addressing the charges and thanked some people who supported her through the process. Swartz indicated he received a lengthy letter from Reardon that explained her actions and reasoning.
Art Aisner is a freelance writer for AnnArbor.com. Reach the news desk at news@annarbor.com or 723-623-2530.
Comments
Briostarr
Sun, May 9, 2010 : 5:01 p.m.
Why do you people feel the need to comment on such stories? Do you not believe that only 1/2 of the true information is made clear to the public? Sure, anyone attempting to shoot someone should be punished, but someone needs to figure out why she did this and stop brushing her off. This is a great family that has been torn apart and now they need to heal. Making the comment about holidays in this house was un-called for. Dont judge w/ out knowing the full story
truenature
Tue, Apr 13, 2010 : 12:53 p.m.
There is no excuse for what she did and it is appropriate that she be punished. However, it appears that she has been judged and sentenced (by the judge and by the public)harshly because only a small part of the story is being told, and that is just the prosecutor's side. Unfortunately, she agreed to a plea bargain. A jury who heard both sides, particularly the why, would not have let her off, but would have given, I think, much less time.
Lokalisierung
Mon, Apr 12, 2010 : 12:04 p.m.
I;m not really interested in that stuff. I'm just can't believe she drove somewhere with a gun, took the gun out, and shot someone with it and only got 4 years. As I said when this first came out if she had walked up to him and took a nickle off him it would have been armed robbery with assault and she'd be doing 10 years.
Blklight
Mon, Apr 12, 2010 : 9:25 a.m.
The father said he never abused his daughter and she is making it all up. Based on her recent actions and mental state I tend to believe him. One thing is for sure is only he and she know the truth!
scooter dog
Sat, Apr 10, 2010 : 12:53 p.m.
Wow,only 4 yrs for attempted murder.She'll be out in less than 2.Sounds like a typical slap on the wrist sentence from washtenaw county judges.
actionjackson
Sat, Apr 10, 2010 : 10:25 a.m.
Hope she gets the psychiatric treatment that sounds quite necessary in her case
libertyforall
Sat, Apr 10, 2010 : 8:47 a.m.
She has spoken out most of her life. Statute of limitations prevented her from pursuing charges. There are few options for the abused. She did what she felt was her only choice. Would you have such courage? Not a simple case. Judge Swartz did a good job of balancing the issues by not imposing too harsh a sentence. Read her novels, they tell you all you need to know. She is a good person, just tortured.
RJA
Fri, Apr 9, 2010 : 7:51 p.m.
I believe in protecting neices, and all children from sexual assult, but why take the law into one's own hands? There are many missing puzzle parts here. Now after the shooting, she is talking, and writing letters. Why not before pulling the trigger? This lady needs help! (and probably has needed it for many years). It is hard for me to understand why some can't speak out about issues this serious. Perhaps now, her father will be investigated, and may be charged with sexual assult if others have been assulted and SPEAK UP!