Court appearance results in probation and marriage with public defender as best man

The Johnson City paper has this story about the unusual court experience of a fellow named Nathan Hicks, and it says in part:

"Playing the role of Cupid, Judge Lynn Brown presided in his chambers over a ceremony that he had inspired about a half hour earlier with a pointed suggestion that Hicks marry Valerie Hammonds. The impromptu marriage featured Assistant District Public Defender Jim Lonon, Hicks’ attorney, as best man. . . .

Hicks, 30, was in court on a host of charges that ranged from public intoxication to aggravated burglary. After [Judge] Brown set one of his cases for trial, Hicks asked Brown for permission to have a few minutes to talk with [his girlfriend] Hammonds. . . .

Brown had other ideas — telling Hicks that he should marry Hammonds instead. As it turns out, Hicks and Hammonds liked the idea, and Brown told bailiffs to take the couple to the county clerk’s office to get a marriage license. First, Hammonds had to stop by an automated teller machine to obtain the money to pay the $93.50 license fee.

Then, they headed back to Brown’s chambers, where he exchanged some small talk and jokes with the couple and Lonon before he performed the ceremony. . . .

Afterward, Hicks abandoned plans for a trial, entered pleas to six crimes and was placed on probation for eight years. He had spent 218 days in jail, and Assistant District Attorney General Janet Vest Hardin didn’t bother asking Brown to make Hicks stay in jail any longer."