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Authorities reported a heartrending scene where a 2-year-old was discovered drenched in blood, crying, and attempting to comfort his lifeless parents.
The state of Georgia is currently hosting the murder trial of Matthew Scott Lanz, who is accused of the 2021 murder of a cherished firefighter from Cherokee County and his wife.
Matthew Scott Lanz faces charges in Cobb County for allegedly shooting his neighbors, Justin and Amber Hicks, fatally. He is also charged with cruelty to children for leaving the couple’s 2-year-old son alone in their Acworth home for several hours after the incident.
In the opening statements, prosecutors presented evidence from security cameras that captured Lanz at his parents’ residence, adjacent to the Hicks’ property, on the night of November 17, 2021, coinciding with the time of the murders.
The surveillance footage allegedly shows Lanz moving around the Hicks’ property in Acworth from 9:31 p.m. to 9:55 p.m., and then departing the area by 10:10 p.m.
As CrimeOnline previously reported, the victims were found fatally shot inside the residence, on a couch. The couple’s toddler son and the family dog remained in the home until police arrived.
Investigators said they found the 2-year-old soaked in blood, crying and trying to cuddle the bodies of his deceased parents.
A few days later, police arrested Lanz after he allegedly broke into a Sandy Springs residence. When an officer responded to the scene, Lanz reportedly stabbed the officer several times in the neck and back; another officer then shot him.
According to Channel 2 Action News, the trial had been delayed numerous times over issues surrounding Lanz’s competency to stand trial.
In October, a forensic psychologist told the court that Lanz suffered from schizophrenia, but a judge found him competent to stand trial, Court TV reports.
Lanz requested a bench trial, meaning a judge will render the verdict.
The trial continues. Check back for updates.
[Featured Photo: Hicks couple/Facebook]
