Brian Hickerson's second attempt to clear felony domestic violence convictions involving Hayden Panettiere was denied three days before the actress died, after prosecutors challenged representations that he was now sober.
At an Aug. 13 hearing in Los Angeles, the prosecution cited a May interview Hickerson gave about his past relationship with Panettiere and alleged that he appeared to be under the influence of a stimulant. Court records obtained by PEOPLE show prosecutors also pointed to his 2025 encounters with law enforcement while opposing the petition.
Hickerson had asked the court to dismiss two felony convictions for corporal injury to a spouse or cohabitant from a domestic violence case in which Panettiere was a victim. Judge Olivia Rosales rejected the request, saying Hickerson had not remained free of new offenses.
The hearing took place three days before Panettiere died at age 36 in Greenville, South Carolina. Her death remains under investigation, and authorities have not established any connection between the allegations raised during Hickerson's court hearing and the circumstances of her death.
The interview cited in court was conducted by TMZ's Charlie Neff in May, ahead of the publication of Panettiere's memoir, This Is Me: A Reckoning. In the original TMZ interview, Hickerson discussed Panettiere's account of their abusive relationship and acknowledged conduct described in the book, including an incident in which he threatened her with a phone. "I did it. I did it," Hickerson said while discussing that episode.
#hickerson #panettiere #hearing
At an Aug. 13 hearing in Los Angeles, the prosecution cited a May interview Hickerson gave about his past relationship with Panettiere and alleged that he appeared to be under the influence of a stimulant. Court records obtained by PEOPLE show prosecutors also pointed to his 2025 encounters with law enforcement while opposing the petition.
Hickerson had asked the court to dismiss two felony convictions for corporal injury to a spouse or cohabitant from a domestic violence case in which Panettiere was a victim. Judge Olivia Rosales rejected the request, saying Hickerson had not remained free of new offenses.
The hearing took place three days before Panettiere died at age 36 in Greenville, South Carolina. Her death remains under investigation, and authorities have not established any connection between the allegations raised during Hickerson's court hearing and the circumstances of her death.
The interview cited in court was conducted by TMZ's Charlie Neff in May, ahead of the publication of Panettiere's memoir, This Is Me: A Reckoning. In the original TMZ interview, Hickerson discussed Panettiere's account of their abusive relationship and acknowledged conduct described in the book, including an incident in which he threatened her with a phone. "I did it. I did it," Hickerson said while discussing that episode.
#hickerson #panettiere #hearing
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