64 stone defendant in drug dealing case taken to hospital
A court hearing for a 64 stone defendant was delayed after he needed to be taken to hospital. Kenneth T Hicks, 48, had been expected to enter a plea in a cocaine dealing case in Virginia.
Judge David J Novak had previously approved a plan authorising the FBI and US Marshals Service, if necessary, to take down the wall of Mr Hicks' mobile home to extricate him, before bringing him to court in an ambulance.
The judge had agreed for him to appear in the court's loading dock, partly to protect Mr Hicks' dignity because he cannot wear clothing.
Mr Hicks had made a previous court appearance by video link from the mobile home.
The transportation request from his lawyers said "the FBI and US Marshals may determine that it is necessary to open a large hole in the wall of the structure in order to facilitate the use of a device capable of lifting the defendant’s weight."
However, after leaving his home Mr Hicks was instead taken to VCU Medical Center in Richmond, Virginia for an unspecified issue, the Richmond Times-Dispatch reported.
The judge continued the hearing without him and revoked his bail, scheduling another hearing in a week's time.
