Welby Hunt, age 17, was charged as an accomplice in the robbery and murder of pharmacist C. Ivy Toms. Though Gilmer sought to have Hunt tried separately as a juvenile, both he William Edward Hickman (confessed kidnapper and murderer of 12-year-old Marion Hickman) stood as codefendants in the Toms murder trial. George L. Hunt testified on his son's behalf, outlining his son's life before and after meeting Hickman. Both Hunt and Hickman received sentences of life in prison for the crime and went to San Quentin together. Hickman was executed October 19, 1928 for the Parker murder. Hunt was released on parole.