14-year cold case goes to trial

CLOVIS — The eight-day cold case trial for William Hadix, 69, will begin Wednesday after almost 14 years of stagnation.

Hadix is charged with the September 2003 killing and armed robbery of Jessie Clyde "J.C." Tucker in Clovis. The two lived nearby at the time, west of Clovis, where Tucker owned a storage facility.

Tucker’s daughter, Jackie Davidson, said on Saturday she will attend the trial and is “ready for closure.”

“I can’t believe it’s really happening. It’s been so long,” she said. “I’m losing my breath right now — no pun intended. I have lung disease and I’m barely hanging on. I think that’s why God’s kept me here, to see it through.”

Several months after Tucker’s death, Hadix moved to Cumberland County, Illinois, where he was arrested in September 2015.

According to court records:

• Authorities had early on considered Hadix “the most likely” of 16 possible suspects, but were stymied by a lack of evidence and witnesses.

• Cory Van Cleave spoke out in July 2015, claiming Hadix, who considers him his “godchild,” had told him he killed Tucker and asked him to melt the gun used in the alleged murder.

• Van Cleave suggested he and his two siblings, also close with Hadix, were reluctant to come forward earlier out of fear for their lives.

Authorities claim Hadix stole $2,500 cash from Tucker, and court documents suggest Tucker threatened to report Hadix to law enforcement.

Davidson said soon after Hadix’s arrest that Tucker had refused a request from Hadix for a loan of money shortly before he was killed.

Chief Deputy District Attorney Brian Stover, leading the prosecution for this case, said Friday that he intended to call 12 witnesses during the trial. Regarding a scheduling conflict with the pathologist who conducted Tucker’s autopsy in 2003, he said he will instead interview Dr. Ross Zummwalt from the state Office of the Medical Examiner.

Stover declined to make any additional comment on the case before the trial.

Hadix’s defense attorney, Gary Mitchell of Ruidoso, did not respond Friday to a request for comment.

“I’m hoping this all gets worked out. I pray to God they’ve got the right man,” said Davidson on Saturday. “I feel confident that we do, I just hope that we can get it done.

“I had already forgiven (Hadix) and everything, because I’m trying to get into heaven soon. But there’s still some things I’d love to have an answer to.”