Fiancée’s Statement Sways Judge to Sentence Man to 45 Years for Manslaughter

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On Aug. 10, a man convicted of manslaughter was sentenced to a total of 45 years in prison before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Cynthia H. Jones.

Marquis Dixon, 29, was convicted of manslaughter, two counts of possession of a firearm with a felony conviction, and use of a firearm during a violent crime in connection to an incident on Feb. 10, 2020.

The prosecutor argued that the defendant has a long history of being involved in the criminal justice system.

Dixon acquired another charge in 2013 for armed robbery and second-degree assault, said the prosecutor. He was also found guilty in July 2020. His records include the assault of another inmate.

The defendant should not be allowed within the community seeing as he has not taken responsibility for his actions and believes that he is the victim, said the prosecutor.

Initially, the victim’s mother wanted to give a victim impact statement but ultimately refused to do so.

Video of the incident showed the victim shooting at someone standing in the street to which that person fired back. Dixon’s defense counsel, Romel Showell, argued that based on the video the prosecutor cannot prove that Dixon was the shooter standing in the street.

Showell said Dixon was a victim since he was shot five times in his back.

He is an incredibly smart, wise, and intelligent young man who sometimes makes dumb decisions, but he has raw talent, the attorney said.

Showell suggested a sentence of 5 years for manslaughter instead of the 10 years the prosecutor asked for as well as 10 years for use of a firearm during a violent crime and another 10 years for possession of a firearm with a felony conviction to run concurrently.

“Had he not reacted, Dixon would be in the morgue”, said Showell.

Dixon’s fiancée gave an impact statement, saying she’s known the defendant for over 18 years, and she can write a book on him. “He is a very genuine man,” she said, explaining that he’s supported her since she herself was in the system. She said that she’s always seen the delicate side of Dixon, and she doesn’t see the person that people talk about.

“I see someone strong, supportive, and loving,” said Dixon’s fiancée “I can’t imagine spending the rest of my life without my best friend, support team, and backbone for the rest of his life”.

“I strive to be a family man,” said Dixon. He said he’s been through a lot in life, some good and bad as well as made a lot of decisions. He mentioned how many people in his environment told him he won because he is still alive.

Dixon also described how he lost friends and family. He said he almost lost his fiancée to COVID-19 twice, making him feel like he has not won anything.

After listening to counsel and the statements given by the defendant and his fiancée, Judge Jones said she was persuaded by Dixon’s fiancée to slightly adjust his sentence.

Judge Jones sentenced Dixon to 10 years in prison for manslaughter; 20 years, with the first five years without parole, for use of a firearm during a violent crime; and 15 years, with the first five years without parole, for possession of a firearm with a felony conviction. The sentences are slated to run consecutively.

Dixon will have to serve a total of 45 years in prison with the first 10 years without parole.