A Niagara Falls man is being held without bail after pleading not guilty to a murder charge in the slaying of another man on Main Street Monday night.
Arthur Hicks, 53, of the Falls, entered his plea to a charge of second-degree murder during an arraignment hearing in Niagara Falls City Court Wednesday morning. After pleading not guilty, Hicks waived his right to a speedy preliminary hearing and was remanded to the Niagara County jail.
Niagara County prosecutors said they will present their case against Hicks to a county grand jury in the near future.
Hicks was taken into custody around 12:30 p.m. Tuesday after Niagara Falls Police Criminal Investigation Division (CID) detectives located him in the 1000 block of North Avenue. He was found inside a tent in a wooded area near Amtrak railroad tracks.
Detectives said Hicks was taken into custody without incident.
Investigators said they had been searching for Hicks since the discovery of the body of Thomas Harris, 34, of the Falls, in the area of Main Street and Michigan Avenue at around 11:45 p.m. Monday.
Police said they found Harris “unresponsive” and lying in the middle of Main Street, in front of the Rapids Theatre building. Officers said Harris appeared to have been severely beaten and had been stabbed.
Niagara Falls firefighters and EMTs were rushed to the scene in an attempt to treat Harris’ wounds but he was later pronounced dead at the scene.
CID detectives said their investigation of the homicide is continuing and asked that anyone with information regarding the incident contact them at 716-286-4553.