State v. Dixon
Vermont Supreme Court
967 A.2d 1114 (2008)
- Written by Paul Neel, JD
Facts
Fifteen-year-old Jonas Dixon (defendant) shot and killed an intoxicated man who had visited Dixon’s home to have sex with Dixon’s mother. Dixon’s mother struggled with mental-health problems. Dixon noticed men were regularly visiting his home to have sex with his mother. Dixon believed such men were perverts and were taking advantage of his mother’s condition. On the night of the shooting, Dixon heard his mother and the intoxicated man having sex. Dixon grabbed a 12-gauge shotgun, intending to scare the man, and ordered the man to leave. The man ran at Dixon and grabbed the gun. Dixon thought that if the man took the gun, he would shoot Dixon. A struggle ensued. Dixon removed the safety and shot the man in the chest at close range, killing him. The state (plaintiff) charged Dixon with second-degree murder. Dixon moved to transfer his trial to juvenile court. The trial court denied the motion. Dixon appealed.
Rule of Law
Issue
Holding and Reasoning (Reiber, C.J.)
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