Grady County D.A. Jumps Into Work Moments After Taking Oath

Ed Murray, News 9

CHICKASHA, Oklahoma -- Tuesday was the official first day on the job for new Grady County District Attorney Jason Hicks, but he already has a full case load waiting for him.

Hicks' predecessor waited until the final days of his term to file charges in several cases. Those charges ranged from a highway patrolman accused of concealing stolen property, to charges of child neglect and illegal voting.

Hicks told News 9 he would have preferred the charges be filed after he took office, especially since several dated back to April.

"We'll move forward with those cases and prosecute them just as if we filed them," said Hicks. "There may be some amendments or what not in a few of those cases, but we're going to look at each case on an individual basis and move forward."

One of those cases is that of Dennis and Laura Meyer. They pleaded not guilty to felony charges of voting twice in a Tuttle library tax election; once by absentee then later at their regular voting place. The judge released them on a personal recognizance bond.

 There's another element to this case. The Meyers were big supporters of Jason Hicks. They had campaign signs around their property along the main road into Tuttle. That fact has raised a few eyebrows in Grady County

"There'll probably be a few cases that I end up having to disqualify from them because of certain issues that may arise, like supporters of mine may be charged," said Hicks. "But those issues we'll be looking at over the next couple of weeks."

Hicks told the judge Tuesday he will step down from the Meyers case and turn it over to another district attorney.