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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Father Admits Helping Son Cover Up Murder Man Pleads Guilty To Being Accessory To Beating Death

A Wallace man, whose teenage stepson is scheduled to stand trial for allegedly murdering a 52-year-old man, admitted Wednesday to helping the 15-year-old boy cover up the crime.

Clifford A. Hicks, 45, avoided the possibility of spending the rest of his life in prison by pleading guilty to being an accessory to the murder of Melvin Evenson in March.

In exchange for the guilty plea, prosecutors agreed not to ask 1st District Judge Gary Haman to sentence Hicks as a habitual offender, which could have netted a life sentence. Hicks faces up to five years in prison when he is sentenced Jan. 5.

“Fooling around with a life sentence wasn’t worth it,” said Hicks’ attorney, Jonathan Hull.

Evenson’s naked body was found April 16. It had been hidden facedown under a stack of boxes in the bed of a pickup abandoned off Chilco Road.

Hicks’ stepson, Jeremy Schmitz, 15, and his cousin Daniel Eby, 18, are scheduled to stand trial as adults for the murder. Hicks is listed as a potential prosecution witness in both of those cases.

Schmitz, Eby and Hicks knew Evenson and worked with him occasionally at a private workshop on Fantasy Loop Road near Rathdrum. Prosecutors believe Schmitz, Eby and Hicks all went to the garage where the murder occurred.

Court documents allege that Schmitz and Eby were inside the garage when Evenson was beaten to death with a baseball bat. Hicks came into the garage after Evenson died.

Prosecutors have said all three burned Evenson’s clothing and personal belongings, and cleaned up the shop before hiding the victim’s body.

Hicks admitted to Kootenai County sheriff’s detectives that he helped hide Evenson’s body, said Capt. Ben Wolfinger.

Hicks’ trial was scheduled to begin Wednesday. Haman ordered Hicks held in the Kootenai County Jail on $100,000 bond until he is sentenced.

, DataTimes