Gates' testimony takes center stage

NORWALK — The final day of testimony in the murder trial of Paul Hicks centered largely on the credibility of a key cooperating witness, as jurors heard hours of testimony from Steve Gates, a man who admitted lying repeatedly to investigators for more than two decades before providing the account prosecutors now rely on to place Regina Hicks' death at his property. Paul Hicks is on trial for the Oct. 18, 2001, disappearance of 23-year-old Regina Hicks, his estranged spouse who was later found dead in her vehicle, found submerged in a Willard-area pond. Hicks faces three counts of murder and one count of kidnapping. Medical and forensic testimony earlier in the day addressed how Regina Hicks died, but it was Gates' shifting narrative, immunity agreement and long delay in coming forward that dominated the proceedings as the case moved toward closing arguments. Witness admits years of deception Gates testified under a proffer agreement granting him immunity from prosecution in exchange for truthful testimony. He told jurors that in October 2001, Hicks was helping him with work related to a pond on his Townline 12 Road property near Willard, though the pond was never completed. Gates testified that Hicks told him Regina was running drugs and asked him to contact law enforcement. Gates admitted to making the call and telling law enforcement Regina was "running drugs from Kentucky." Gates said Regina was later stopped by police at a local HyMiler gas station and drugs were found in her vehicle, which he said heightened Hicks' concern about custody of their child. For the first time, Gates testified that Regina came to his property the night she died and that he saw her and Hicks arguing outside her vehicle. He said he put equipment away and later returned to find Regina "crumpled up" in the front passenger seat, with Hicks outside the car. Gates testified he told Hicks to call for help and that Hicks responded, "Dude, she's (expletive) dead." Gates said Hicks then drove Regina's car toward the pond, with Gates following behind. He testified he saw the car's taillights rise and disappear into the water. After returning to the property, Gates testified Hicks told him, "You're involved too." Cross-examination attacks credibility Under cross-examination, defense attorneys focused on Gates' admitted history of lying, repeatedly emphasizing that he never told police in 2001 that Regina had been on his property that night, that she may have died there, or that Hicks drove her car into the pond. Gates acknowledged he lied during every interview with law enforcement in 2001 and in subsequent years, including written and recorded statements, and that he had multiple opportunities over more than 20 years to tell the truth but did not. Defense attorneys highlighted that Gates only came forward after securing an immunity agreement and that if his current account were true, it would implicate him in aiding and abetting a homicide, while false testimony could expose him to perjury or obstruction charges. Defense counsel likened Gates' testimony to spoiled food, questioning its reliability after so many years of deception. Gates testified he was afraid at the time and claimed he is now telling the truth "for the first time." On redirect examination by the prosecution, Gates said he feared retaliation from both the Hicks and Rowe families and that he signed the proffer agreement because he was "not afraid anymore." The Reflector photographed Gates being sworn in by Judge James Conway. During a break in proceedings, the judge instructed a Reflector reporter to not publish any photos of Gates. Scene handling and investigation questioned Other testimony raised questions about how the scene was handled and what evidence was never developed. Ohio State Highway Patrol Trooper Rick Wells testified that Regina's 1994 Camaro did not contain a data system capable of recording accident information. Conway ruled Wells was not qualified as an expert witness following a lengthy sidebar. An expert witness is a witness qualified by knowledge, skill, experience, training, or education to provide a scientific, technical, or other specialized opinion about the evidence or a fact issue, according to Blacks Law Dictionary. Wells testified marks on the car were consistent with Regina being placed into the front passenger seat before the vehicle entered the water. On cross-examination, Wells acknowledged the scene was not secured and that no crime scene tape was used. BCI Special Agent Douglas Burke testified Gates received immunity and confirmed a letter written by Hicks referencing a supposed twin brother. Burke testified he did not hear Hicks leave threatening or hostile phone messages. Medical testimony provides context Earlier in the day, Dr. Diane Scala-Barnett, the Lucas County deputy coroner who performed Regina's autopsy, testified Regina died by drowning and showed signs of inhaling and swallowing water before death. She testified Regina had superficial head injuries that occurred around the time of death but were not fatal. Scala-Barnett testified the manner of death was undetermined, and said she was not told Regina was found in the passenger seat of a submerged vehicle at the time of her autopsy. Huron County Coroner Dr. Jeff Harwood testified Regina's death was originally ruled undetermined before being changed to homicide in 2022 at the request of the sheriff's office. Case moves to closing arguments Both the prosecution and defense rested their cases Wednesday afternoon. The judge ordered the jury not to return until Friday morning. It wasn't clear what, if any, matters in the case would take place on the record on Thursday. Closing arguments are scheduled for 8:45 a.m. Friday.