DIXON v. KANE et al

Filing 65

ORDER dismissing 9 Amended Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus; denying certificate of appealability; and adopting 60 Report and Recommendation of Chief Magistrate Judge Kelly as the opinion of the Court. The Clerk shall mark this case closed. Signed by Judge David S. Cercone on 4/17/17. (Attachments: # 1 Appendix) (njt)

Fr?m:Beaver Co. Clerk of Courts

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to modify and reduce sentence
COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA V. TEREL D. DIXON

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Defendant, Terel Darnell Dixon, by representing himself as h:i's

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counsel

in this matter hereby moves to modify and reduce the sentence, and,;.represents
1. The defendant did plea guilty to a single count of third-degree
murder in an open plea agreement before the Honorable Judge Kim Tesla on
August 5th 2011. Sentencing was deferred.
2. On August 12th 2011, the defendant was sentenced by Judge Kim Tesla
to a term of imprisonment of no less than twelve (12) to no more than thirty
(30) years on the third-degree murder charge, while sentence was suspended
on other charges of carrying a firearm without a license and 2 counts of
recklessly endangering another person.
3. This motion, filed pursuant to Rule 720, Pa. R. Crim.P., seeks to
modify and reduce the sentence of imprisonment imposed on the the third
degree murder charge.
4. While the court did impose a sentence within the guidelines,
considering factors attributed to the events that led up to the incident
in question on the night of May 17th 2010, it is hereby declared that
sentencing could have been more lenient and defendant is not satisfied with
representation of counsel, Steven Valsamidis on the date of sentencing.
5. The sentence imposed of twelve (12) to thirty (30) years was over
the lowest possible mitigated sentence defendant could have recieved.
Defendant would also like to establish th?.t said court's decision was
based on false testimony, media interference, evidence tamperment, lack
of testimony from the only eye witness to the incident, evidence not
presented to defendant in a manner timely enough to prepare a proper
defense and applications of recently modified "Castle Doctrine" as they
apply.
6. Defendant declares that sentencing should be reconsidered based
on the Castle Doctrine as it applies while more consideration should be
taken as to the lack of a criminal history related to defendant, the . .
absence of a violent history of defendant in opposition to the lengthy,
violent criminal history of the named victim in this case, Kevin Johnson
which would establish Mr. Johnson's intent toward not only Terel Dixon

Fiom:Beaver Co. Clerk of courts

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P.003/004

..
but.Tamara Sgro as well as the fetus she was carrying. Prior threats made
.;by M~. Johnson toward both Mr. Dixon and Ms. Sgro, the fact that Mr.
Johnson forced his entry into the residence of Ms. Sgro while defendant
was there and statements made by Ms. Sgro describing abuse she suffered
at the hands of Mr. Johnson would also establish Mr. Johnson's intent
toward both parties as well as the child Ms. Sgro was carrying. Defendant
plans to use evidence already presented to aforementioned events to declare
that defense was not only jusifiable but necessary to protectnamed parties
from Mr. Johnson.
It is hereby declared that more careful consideration should have
been taken toward mental evaluations defendant had undergone by two highly
trained, highly qualified psychiatrists, both of whom insisted that Mr.
Dixon utilized training recieved during combat experience in Iraq during
his time in the USmilitary. Both of these mental health professionals
stated that defendant acted on mental factors outside of his control af ler
being startled by the chaotic commotion Mr. Johnson caused while forcing
his way into Ms. Sgro's residence and at the same time making threatening
obscenities. Also remorse shown on the behalf of the defendant for the way
he reacted, the fact that there was no preious malice shown by defendant
toward Mr. Johnson and justifiable defense stipulations are asked to be
considered by the Court in the matter of reducing the sentence imposed
on Mr. Dixon.
8. Considering the cirumstances and the sentencing code, sentence
imposed is aggravated instead of mitigated and defendant finds it excessive.
Defendant harbored no malice toward Mr. Johnson but threats by Mr. Johnson
toward Mr. Dixon suggests Mr. Johnson's malice and intent toward defendant.
Defendant maintained steady employment from 2000 to 2009 and was never
known to be troublesome. At the time of the incident, defendant was
experiencing psychological problems based on threats maci!to his well-being
by Mr. Johnson as well as Mr. Johnson's violent, aggressive behavior. The
Court failed to give appropriate weight to the circumstances of the
incident and the defendant's background including the fact that he is a
wonderful caretaker for his only young daughter.
9. The Court in its discretion should reconsider the sentence and
substantially reduce the term of imprisonment which was imposed.
7.

WHEREFORE, for each of the foregoing, reasons, the defendants judgment
of sentenced s
should be modified and reduced.

Ffom:Beever Co. Clerk of Courts

724 728 8853

04/05/2017

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