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Friends, family fill courtroom during homicide hearing

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Photo by Kyle Bursaw

Homicide suspect Kyle Hicke looks toward Laura Breun, assistant state public defender, during a hearing in Rock County Court on Thursday. Hicke is charged with first-degree intentional homicide among other charges in the shooting of Erica M. Ostenson on April 22.

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Janesville shooting, police chase

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JANESVILLE — It’s rare so many people attend a routine Rock County Court hearing, even in a high-profile homicide case.

But about 30 people were at a pretrial conference Thursday in the murder case against Kyle E. Hicke, who is accused of fatally shooting Erica M. Ostenson in Janesville’s Old Fourth Ward neighborhood.

They were Ostenson’s friends and family members, ranging in age from wiggly children to gray-haired grandparents. Many wore T-shirts that read, “In memory of Erica,” with her picture underneath.

While the court scheduled Hicke’s Jan. 11 trial date, these folks discussed plans for an Aug. 15 brat fry to benefit Ostenson’s son and other domestic-violence victims.

They passed out window stickers that memorialize Ostenson and have her dates of birth and death written on them.

Many of them know Hicke, too, but they were in court to support Ostenson, even though she’s gone.

“She had a big heart, so why shouldn’t we return the favor and be there for her?” Amy Mathews said. “She was a good person, and she was a good friend.”

Hicke, 37, of 108 Forest Lake Drive, Milton, is charged with first-degree intentional homicide, first-degree reckless endangerment, possession of a firearm by a felon and attempting to flee or elude an officer.

He was arrested April 22 after a high-speed chase following the murder of Ostenson, 25, of 412 1/2 S. Academy St., Janesville.

Hicke appeared in court Thursday wearing an orange jailhouse uniform. He sat between two defense attorneys. He had no friends or family in the courtroom.

After the hearing, James Secor, the father of Ostenson’s son, said everyone calls or texts one another to share information about upcoming court dates.

No one wants to miss a hearing, he said.

“One thing with Erica was she was always there for everybody,” he said.

Jo Robbins, whose daughter grew up with Ostenson, said the two were like sisters.

“She’s like another daughter to me,” Robbins said.

Carrie Ostenson, Erica’s stepmother, said part of the money raised from the brat fry will go to shelters for battered women.

“We figure if we couldn’t help her, we’ll help somebody else,” she said.

Hicke remains in the Rock County Jail on $1 million cash bond.

If convicted, he faces up to life in prison.

Hicke is scheduled to be in back in court Nov. 18 for a motion hearing.