On the early morning of February 16, 2020, a violent confrontation unfolded at the Pilot Truck Stop in Marston, Missouri, claiming the life of 27-year-old Datrae Dontreice Hicks. Hicks, a Black male known affectionately as 'Jawzz' to his friends and family, was present at the location when an argument escalated into gunfire. Born in Sikeston and a 2011 graduate of New Madrid County Central High School, he was a father and a beloved figure in his community, remembered for his love of basketball,
dominoes, and spades. Emergency responders arrived at the scene, but Hicks succumbed to the fatal gunshot wounds he sustained during the altercation.
Investigators quickly turned their attention to surveillance footage from the truck stop, which captured the events leading up to the shooting. The video evidence, along with cell phone footage, helped law enforcement piece together the timeline of the dispute that occurred in the pre-dawn hours. The investigation identified Jeremy Guest, a 38-year-old man from New Madrid, as the primary suspect. Authorities alleged that Guest fatally wounded Hicks following the verbal exchange. Guest was subsequently taken into custody and held without bond as prosecutors built a case against him, charging him with multiple felonies including first-degree robbery and armed criminal action.
The case proceeded to a jury trial in June 2022 in the New Madrid County Circuit Court. During the two-day proceedings, the defense argued that Guest acted in self-defense and in defense of his brother, presenting a narrative of protection rather than aggression. However, the prosecution utilized the video evidence to challenge this claim. After deliberating, the jury returned a verdict finding Guest guilty of voluntary manslaughter, robbery, armed criminal action, and unlawful use of a weapon.
On August 5, 2022, Jeremy Guest appeared before Judge Ed Reeves for sentencing. The emotional hearing included victim impact statements delivered by Hicks's mother, girlfriend, and two of his brothers, who described the profound loss felt by the family. Following these statements, the judge handed down a sentence totaling 42 years in the Missouri Department of Corrections. The lengthy prison term marked the conclusion of the legal pursuit for justice regarding the death of Datrae Hicks.
