ACWORTH, Ga. — Thanksgiving 2015 will be a day Dustin Ray Dixon's family members will never forget. Not because of the cheerful memories, but rather for the horrific events that happened on that day.
Dixon is accused of killing his mother and stepfather, Ellen and Michael DeLoach. He's also accused of firing shots his grandmother and aunt.
Around 7 p.m. that day, prosecutors said Dixon came from the basement of his mother's home on Camden Lake Drive in Acworth, angry at her and his step.
Armed with a gun, the Cobb County District Attorney's Office said the Woodstock man shot them. His grandmother and aunt managed to escape the house and call the police.
Dixon was arrested, but several psychiatrists concluded after periodically evaluating him that he was not competent to stand trial. However, the suspect received treatment at Georgia Regional Hospital within the last year. Prosecutors said his mental competency was restored.
On Monday, the 38-year-old was sentenced to life in prison after pleading guilty in the case.
“Today was a very sad day for family members in Court,” said Jesse Evans, Chief Assistant District Attorney. “Since Thanksgiving 2015, they have been in a state of grief. We are just thankful that we were at least able to hold this killer accountable for these senseless crimes.”
The two surviving victims, along with other family and friends, attended Monday's hearing. Prosecutors said the details were hard to hear; some of them even wiped away tears as the facts of the case were presented.
The charges in the negotiated guilty plea were for to two counts of malice murder and two counts of aggravated assault.
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