Shivangi Sinha
In June 2021, police responded to reports of a shooting outside a home in Taylor, Michigan. Upon arrival, they discovered local resident Barry Bellestri had been fatally shot outside the property. When officers questioned witnesses about the shooter, they pointed to a man sitting on the porch—Eddie Arnold Hicks. He was promptly arrested and charged with murder, though Eddie insisted he had acted in self-defense. The case is explored in detail in the A&E episode of ‘Accused: Guilty or Innocent?’ titled ‘Impulsive Shooter or Terrified Neighbor?’ which examines the circumstances of the incident and whether Hicks was ultimately found guilty.
Eddie Arnold Hicks Shot His Neighbor in Front of the Latter’s Son
Eddie Arnold Hicks had lived peacefully for many years in Taylor, Michigan. He was surrounded by family and enjoyed a quiet, law-abiding life at his house in the 6400 block of Cornell Street. Known for his calm demeanor, Eddie was not someone prone to aggression or conflict. He valued his peace and respected the space of others. However, an encounter with his neighbor would alter the course of his life forever. On the evening of June 15, 2021, Eddie went over to the home of his neighbor, Barry Bellestri, who was giving away free firewood. The exchange started off without incident and seemed cordial. However, tensions reportedly rose when Barry, 46, allegedly accused Eddie of damaging his property by the way he was dragging the wood across it.
What began as a minor disagreement quickly escalated into a violent confrontation. According to reports, both Eddie and Barry exchanged punches, and the conflict spilled outside the house. Barry’s 15-year-old son was present during the altercation and may have been attempting to calm things down. However, at some point during the fight, Eddie pulled out a gun and shot Barry three times. One of the bullets struck Barry in the back, and he collapsed outside the home. Police were called to the scene immediately. Upon arrival, they spoke with witnesses who described what had happened. When asked to identify the shooter, all pointed to Eddie, who was calmly sitting on his porch. He did not resist arrest and was taken into custody without incident.
Eddie Arnold Hicks is Serving His Sentence in Prison Today
During his police interrogation, Eddie Hicks insisted he had acted purely in self-defense and had not intended to do anything wrong. Despite his claims, he was charged with second-degree murder, manslaughter, and two counts of felony firearm. He was granted a $500,000 cash/surety bond, which he successfully posted, allowing him to remain out of custody until his trial. His trial commenced in November 2023. Eddie’s defense team continued to argue that he had acted in self-defense during a physical altercation. However, the prosecution countered that the fatal shot had struck Barry Bellestri in the back, indicating that Barry was retreating or no longer a threat when he was shot. Additionally, the fact that Barry was unarmed strengthened the prosecution’s case, suggesting that lethal force was unnecessary.
He was ultimately found guilty of manslaughter and a single charge of felony firearm. In February 2024, Eddie was sentenced to a prison term of two to fifteen years, with credit for 84 days already served. He attempted to appeal the conviction, but his filing was dismissed due to being submitted past the deadline. Now 77 years old, he is currently incarcerated at the Parnall Correctional Facility in Jackson County, Michigan, and will become eligible for parole in 2027. His family is actively working to secure his early release, citing his advanced age and declining health. Meanwhile, Barry’s family has launched a petition calling for Eddie to remain incarcerated, arguing that justice must be upheld and the full sentence served.
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