8/8/13 - More than three years later, one of two people charged with felony murder in the death of a homeless man has entered a plea in the case. 52-year-old Antoinette Bea Hix of Gaines pleaded guilty to a charge of 2nd degree murder in Livingston County Circuit Court Wednesday. In exchange, separate charges of 1st degree pre-meditated murder and abuse of a vulnerable adult were dismissed. Prosecutors also agreed to recommend a sentencing cap on the minimum guidelines of 18 years and 9 months in prison. If Judge David Reader feels the sentence should be greater than the cap, Hix can withdraw her plea at sentencing October 7th. Hix admitted that on April 11th, 2010, she assisted 45-year-old Mitchell Judd Hall of Byron in loading the victim into Hallâs vehicle with the intention of Hall driving the victim to an isolated location. Hix also admitted that knowing the victims age, his injuries, and the 30-degree temperature outside that he was probably going to die. Hix and Hall were each charged in the death of 71-year old Clarence Elijah Hines and their trial dates have been pushed back several times, in part due to a number of motions filed as to what arguments could be made by either side during trial and what could be introduced as evidence. More recently, Judge Reader authorized the defense in Hallâs case to expend $3,000 for a forensic pathologist. Hix has offered to testify against Hall during his trial, which is now scheduled for August 26th, but that is not a part of any plea agreement. Police say the couple left Hines at the side of Sober Road in Conway Township on April 11th, 2010, where he was found dead the following morning. Authorities say Hines died due to a combination of hypothermia and multiple blunt trauma injuries. Authorities say the couple wanted to rid themselves of caring for Hines due to his failing health and discussed various options to do so, eventually deciding to drop him off on a rural dirt road. (JM)
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