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‘Broke my heart:’ Mother of slain Stampeder thought her son was safe in Canada

CALGARY — The mother of slain Calgary Stampeder Mylan Hicks says she thought her son would be safe when he left his native Detroit to play football in Canada.
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CALGARY — The mother of slain Calgary Stampeder Mylan Hicks says she thought her son would be safe when he left his native Detroit to play football in Canada.

Renee Hill has been at the trial of Nelson Lugela, 21, charged with second-degree murder in the shooting death of Hicks outside the Marquee Beer Market in Calgary on Sept. 25, 2016.

Wearing a T-shirt with a picture of her son in his Michigan State football uniform on the front, Hill said outside court she never expected her son would be in danger.

“If Mylan was going to get hurt, lose his life, I’d be the first to say it was where we live. You know, it was in Detroit. I would be the first to say that but Mylan came here and I was so glad,” Hill said Tuesday. ”I even told my husband I’m so glad he’s going over there, he’s out of here to safety.

“To get here and not last a year … you know what I’m saying? That just broke my heart.”

Both the Crown and defence have finished presenting evidence. Written arguments from the lawyers are expected next week with final oral arguments and a verdict in the new year.

Hill said she will return to Calgary for the verdict but, either way, she is at peace.

“Whether the judge comes back with a guilty or not guilty verdict, I’m going to be okay,” said Hill. “I will always drill it home that Mylan is better off than we are.”