LV man receives 2 life terms

Kim Smith

Friday, March 10, 2000 | 10:26 a.m.

A 19-year-old Las Vegas man convicted of killing a friend's father four years ago will be spending at least the next 40 years in prison.

District Judge John McGroarty Thursday gave Jeremy Kelly two life terms in connection with the June 1996 murder of Terry Dixon. He gave Kelly one life sentence for murder and another life sentence because he used a deadly weapon in that murder. The sentences are to be served one after the other.

McGroarty also gave Kelly three sentences of three to 13 years on burglary and robbery related charges and a sentence of two to eight years for conspiracy to commit murder. Each of these sentences are to be served at the same time as the life sentences.

Kelly was given credit for 1,364 days already served while awaiting trial.

According to authorities, Kelly, Sean Dixon and Alexander Lamar went to Dixon's dad's apartment intending to steal his truck, but ended up shooting and killing him instead.

Sean Dixon pleaded guilty to first-degree murder with use of a deadly weapon and was given a life sentence with the possibility of parole after 40 years. Alexander is scheduled for trial March 20.

While many defendants plead for leniency before being sentenced, when Kelly was given his opportunity to speak to McGroarty, he used his time to point out what he believes are appealable issues.

Kelly claimed that the jurors in his case rushed through deliberations because it was a few days before Christmas and many did not want to work into the evening. They came back with a verdict within four hours and that included a dinner break, Kelly said.

In addition, Kelly pointed out that the jurors convicted him of both conspiracy to commit robbery and murder, when they were supposed to choose between the two. If they were confused on that issue, chances are they were confused on others, he said.

Attorneys for both sides agreed to dismiss the conspiracy to commit robbery charge and conviction.

Deputy District Attorney Becky Goettsch pointed out when they were waiting on the verdict to be announced the defendant himself said, "I'm surprised I kept them out three hours."

McGroarty thanked Kelly for his comments and said he thought it only fair to give him the same sentence as Dixon's since no one knows for sure who pulled the trigger.

"It's obvious you are intelligent; it's unfortunate you didn't use it to better ends," McGroarty said.