Parole Denied in 2005 Spousal Murder

TCDA prosecutors have secured a three-year denial of parole for Mark Hicks, age 63, for the 2005 murder of his wife. He is currently serving a life sentence at the Correctional Training Facility in Soledad. The hearing was heard in front of commissioners via video conference on June 5, 2026, with members of the victim’s family present.

On December 11, 2005, at their residence in Porterville, Hicks discovered evidence of alleged infidelity in the marriage. With his 10 and 11-year-old children present in the home, Hicks shot his wife to death with a shotgun. Hicks then called 911 and stated that he committed the crime.

In March of 2007, a Tulare County jury convicted Hicks of second-degree murder with the special allegations that he used a firearm and that he intentionally discharged a firearm causing death. He was sentenced to 40 years to life in prison.

This is Hicks’ first parole hearing under California’s elder parole statutes made into law by AB 3234, which grants a parole hearing when an inmate reaches 50 years old and has served at least 20 continuous years of incarceration.

Media inquiries can be directed to the Office of the District Attorney, County of Tulare Chief Deputy District Attorney Dave Alavezos (559) 636-5494