Ann Arbor crime novelist Lisa Reardon sentenced to prison for shooting father

“The only way to keep them safe was to kill him,” one probation officer recalled Lisa Reardon saying during an interview for the pre-sentencing report. She also made references to being abused by Hicks between the ages of 5 and 10 years old and said their relationship remained volatile through adulthood.

Reardon’s defense attorney, Chris Renna, challenged the report and urged Circuit Judge David Swartz to note that Reardon did not recall making that statement.

The report also noted the death of her elderly cat earlier that day prompted the assault.

“Because Godfrey died and I promised myself I’d do it,” she said.

Hicks, 68, was shot in buttocks and leg as he tried to run into his home. Authorities said he has recovered and submitted a letter to the judge that was not read in court. He has denied any wrongdoing, and no criminal investigation into his actions is under way.

Reardon pleaded guilty as charged to counts of attempted murder and felony weapons violations last month. She could have faced up to life in prison, but agreed to serve two years in deal with prosecutors. Swartz ordered her to serve a mandatory two-year sentence on the weapons charge after the initial sentence expires.

Reardon grew up in Milan and graduated from Yale with a degree in theater/playwriting, reports show. She is the author of several books, including “The Mercy Killers,” which is set in Ypsilanti.

During her brief comments to the court Thursday, Reardon avoided addressing the charges and thanked some people who supported her through the process. Swartz indicated he received a lengthy letter from Reardon that explained her actions and reasoning.

Art Aisner is a freelance writer for AnnArbor.com. Reach the news desk at news@annarbor.com or 723-623-2530.