James Corey Hicks is accused of beating a Linden man, simply because he was black, and leaving him to die. Now he's defending himself in a civil trial brought on by the victim's family. Billy Ray Johnson is seeking civil damages to help pay for medical bills and the constant care he now needs as a result of the alleged attack. During the cross-examination attorneys for the victim asked Hicks several questions about his behavior during and after the alleged assault. They accused him of lying to police about the incident and lying during the criminal trial. Defense Attorney Morris Dees says convincing the jury hicks was lying about his involvement in the assault is critical to their case. "It's so clear today in court, in the last two days that these individuals made up a story of self defense... I think if given an opportunity to hear the facts of the case I think they're going to resoundingly come down on the side of Billy Ray Johnson." Medical experts testified about how difficult it was to diagnose the victim's brain injury, since they didn't know he had suffered a blow to the head, just hours before being admitted to the hospital. Meanwhile, Hicks tried to convince jurors that the severity of the victim's injuries may have been the result of a fall he took at the hospital, just a few days after the attack. Court reconvenes Thursday at 9 a.m.
