Toledoan arraigned in slaying at tavern

1/3/2003

A Toledo man accused in the shooting death of a reputed leader of the Outlaws motorcycle gang was arraigned yesterday in Lucas County Common Pleas Court.

Robert C. Wymer, 26, pleaded not guilty to murder and felonious assault and specifications that a gun was used in the crimes. Judge Charles Wittenberg scheduled a trial for Feb. 24. Wymer of 645 Segur St. is accused of killing Bruce Hicks, 45, during a melee Oct. 24 at the Rider's Edge bar, 531 Oak St.

Mr. Hicks, who lived on North Hawley Street, was fatally shot and Timothy Conkright, 41, of 526 Oak, was wounded. The shooting occurred as the victim and others at the bar were trying to order a group of men to leave after a fight. Mr. Hicks was the younger brother of Wayne Hicks, who at one time was the second-highest-ranking Outlaw in the country.

Wymer was released from prison on shock probation in April, 2000, after he served about six years for a string of crimes he committed in the Toledo area from April, 1993, to January, 1994, when he was 17.

Originally indicted on 10 charges, he was accused of burglarizing residences in Toledo and the Swanton area and setting a house on fire in the 2300 block of Glendale Avenue. He also was charged with stealing three vehicles.

He was charged with delinquency and certified to stand trial as an adult. He pleaded no contest in 1994 to aggravated burglary and burglary and was sentenced to six to 25 years in prison. He received an additional three years for using a gun in the aggravated burglary.

Wymer is being held in the Lucas County jail in lieu of $210,000 bail.