Monday, July 26, 2004

Dixon Denied New Trial
Dexter Lamont Dixon Was Convicted By County Jury Last Year For His Role In A Decade-Old Double Murder

Dexter Lamont Dixon, a 32-year-old South Boston man convicted last September for his role in a decade-old double homicide, had his motion seeking a new trial denied Friday by Judge Leslie M. Osborn.

Judge Osborn was the presiding judge during Dixon's trial last September, when Dixon was convicted of the first degree murders of Joseph Gibbons and John LaPrade on December 21, 1993 during what the prosecution described as an attempted robbery gone awry.

Dixon, through his attorney, Robert R. Meeks, had filed a motion in February to set aside the jury's verdict and order a new trial, one of the assertions in the motion being that one of the jurors was ineligible to serve.

S.H. Weaver was Dixon's attorney during his 2003 trial.

Meeks' motion challenged the jury's verdict on grounds that a juror who participated throughout Dixon's trial "made a report to the Court, under oath, on August 26, 2002, that he was unable to serve as a juror due to a mental impairment."

The motion argued that "the juror in question should be disqualified, the jury's verdicts should be set aside, and a new trial should be ordered."

That questionnaire was entered into evidence by Meeks during Friday's hearing, but the defense put on no further evidence to question the juror's competence, according to Commonwealth's Attorney Kim White.

"The court found the defense had not met the burden of proof needed to [set aside the verdict] and grant a new trial," said White.

Dixon was convicted of two counts of first degree murder and five other felonies related to the shooting deaths of Gibbons and LaPrade during an attempted robbery on December 21, 1993.

The jury recommended Dixon serve 20 years in prison for each of the two murder convictions and an additional 33 years for five other felonies relating to the crime, the sentence reaffirmed by Judge Osborn.

During the trial, John Greenbacker, who as Commonwealth's Attorney prosecuted Dixon, characterized Dixon as the "wheel man" out of a group of three who planned and carried out the attempted robbery.

Verlie Marion Word, described by the prosecution as the "trigger man" in the deaths of Gibbons and LaPrade was convicted and sentenced to two life terms plus 10 years for his part in the scheme.

Louis Jordan Powell Jr., the third man convicted in connection with the double homicide, was sentenced to 60 years in prison for each of the murders, plus 60 years for each of two related convictions, for a total of 240 years in prison.

Powell, who testified for the prosecution in Dixon's trial, had all but 18 years of his sentenced suspended by the court.

Other Court

• Two South Boston men were sentenced Friday for convictions related to the theft of items from Vulcan Materials in January.

John Herbert Glasscock, 61, was sentenced to five years each in prison for breaking and entering Vulcan Materials on January 5, and the grand larceny of items from Vulcan Materials.

Judge Osborn suspended all of Glasscock's sentence to time served, conditioned on Glasscock's good behavior for 10 years, effective immediately, and ordered Glasscock to be placed on probation for six months, effective immediately.

The court additionally ordered Glasscock to pay $525 restitution to Vulcan Materials, both jointly and separately, and to perform 100 hours of community service.

• James William Hall, 51, of South Boston, was sentenced to 10 years in prison for breaking and entering Vulcan Materials, and 10 years for the grand larceny of items from Vulcan Materials.

Judge Osborn suspended all but five months in jail, conditioned on Hall's good behavior for 20 years, effective immediately.

The court ordered Hall receive credit for time served, and ordered him to be placed on probation for one year upon his release, to pay $525 restitution to Vulcan Materials, both jointly and separately, and to submit to random drug and alcohol tests.

• Rondey Mayo, 34, of South Boston, was sentenced Friday to 10 years in prison for cocaine possession.

Judge Osborn suspended all but one year, six months of Mayo's sentence, conditioned on Mayo's good behavior for 10 years, and ordered him to be placed on probation for one year upon his release.

The court additionally suspended Mayo's operator's license for six months and ordered him to submit to random drug tests.

Judge Osborn set an appeal bond for Mayo at $10,000.

In a separate matter, the court convicted Mayo of a probation violation, with all new time resuspended.

• Momar Oboi Guy, 32, of South Boston, was sentenced Friday to five years in prison for enhanced petty larceny (subsequent offense) from Auto Zone.

The court suspended all but six months of Guy's sentence, conditioned on his good behavior for five years, and ordered him to be placed on probation for one year, effective immediately.

The court additionally ordered Guy to submit to random drug and alcohol tests.

• Michael L. Powell, 47, of Nathalie, was sentenced Friday to five years in prison for the fraudulent conversion of property (John Deere tractor and loader).

Judge Osborn suspended all but 60 days of Powell's sentence, conditioned on Powell's good behavior for five years, effective immediately.

The court authorized weekend jail service for Powell and ordered him to be placed on probation for one year, effective immediately.

• Charlotte Lynn Tabon, 29, of South Boston, was sentenced Friday to five years in prison for embezzlement/grand larceny from FasMart.

The court suspended Tabon's entire sentence, conditioned on her good behavior for five years, effective immediately, and ordered her to be placed on probation for one year, also immediately.

The court additionally ordered Tabon to pay $400 restitution to FasMart within one year and perform 100 hours of community service.

• Tyrell Devour Faulkner, 18, of South Boston was sentenced Friday to three years in prison for distributing marijuana, with all but 20 days suspended, with work release also authorized.

The court ordered the suspended portions of Faulkner's sentence be conditioned on his good behavior for three years, effective immediately.

The court additionally ordered Faulkner to be placed on probation for one year, effective immediately, and to submit to random drug tests.

• Mark Nathaniel Jackson, 47, of South Boston, was convicted Friday of a probation violation.

Judge Osborn revoked six months of Jackson's previously suspended prison sentence.

• Deborah Ragsdale Chandler, 39, of Keysville, was granted first offender status Friday by the court for an indictment charging her with possession of a Schedule I/II controlled substance.

The court continued the case until July 22, 2005, ordering Chandler to undergo substance abuse treatment, remain drug free, and submit to random drug tests.

The court additionally ordered Chandler to maintain employment and perform 100 hours of community service, in addition to ordering a restricted operator's license for six months.

‘Loupe Fest Draws Near-Sellout Crowd
Food, Music, Fun Were All On The Menu As Nearly 3,000 Revelers Gathered At Halifax County Fairgrounds

Nearly 3,000 festival goers braved the heat and humidity Friday to enjoy locally grown cantaloupe and listen to the sounds of Pizzazz and The Coastline Band at the 24th Annual Cantaloupe Festival at the Halifax County Fairgrounds.

In addition to Halifax's famous cantaloupe with vanilla ice cream, the crowd enjoyed other Southside favorites, Brunswick stew, barbecue, corn on the cob, ham biscuits and watermelon.

Nancy Pool, one of the festival's organizers, said this years festival was close to being a sellout.

"We were really pleased with the turnout," Pool said. "Everything went smoothly.

Revenue totals raised from the festival were unavailable at press time according to Poole.

Several dignitaries were on hand to partake in the festivities and mingle with the crowd.

Fifth District Congressional candidate Al Weed took the opportunity to spread his message.

"This is one of the biggest and most anticipated events in Southside," said Weed. "Since I started running, people have been telling me that I should attend.

"I'm really glad that I did this year," Weed added as looked over the crowd.
"The people are some of the best that you will find anywhere. Everyone I've met here today has been as nice as you'll find anywhere.

Festival veteran Fifth District Congressman Virgil Goode was happy to be back in attendance after a scheduling conflict kept him from last year's event.
"I'm so glad it worked out so I could come this year," Goode said.

A veterans of several cantaloupe festivals, Goode knows what to expect.

"I've already had a slice of cantaloupe and watermelon and they're both great," Goode said.

Virginia Commonwealth's Attorney Jerry Kilgore took time out to attend.

"This is one of the premier festivals in the state of Virginia," Kilgore said. "You can always count on two things it's going to be hot and there's going to be great cantaloupe."

The cantaloupes were donated by county producers, Reese Farms, Hudson Farm and Anthony Powell. Cole Berry Farm contributed blackberries for the fruit cups.

Carry-Over, Taxes Top SoBo Agenda
South Boston Finance Committee Meets This Afternoon

A budget carry-over request and the annual delinquent tax report top South Boston Finance Committee's brief agenda for tonight's work session.

The meeting is scheduled to get underway at 5:45 p.m. in Council Chambers on Yancey Street.

Town Finance Director Vandie Saunders is expected to ask the committee for authorization to carry over approximately $166,470 from last year's budget.

Saunders said Friday that the money still being held was earmarked for two contracts in progress that weren't completed during the last fiscal year.

Around $11,470 of the total was allocated for equipment replacement at the South Boston Fire Department.

The remainder of the funds were earmarked for upgrades to the town's traffic signals, Saunders said.

During his report, the finance director is expected to tell the committee that the town is currently holding approximately $60,228 in delinquent personal property and real estate taxes.

The town is seeking to recover $6,541 in real estate taxes and $11,292 in personal property taxes from 2002, Saunders said.

In 2003, $27,987 in real estate taxes and $14,408 in personal property taxes remain unpaid, according to the finance director.

Saunders is also expected to deliver the monthly financial statement to committee members during tonight's meeting.

Members of the Current Issues Committee are expected to receive a status report on property located at 1217 North Main Street during tonight's meeting.

HCS Seeks To Remain In Winner’s Bracket
The HC South DYB Major League All-Star Team Faced Rustburg Last Night In A Battle Of Undefeated Teams

BY JOE CHANDLER
G-V STAFF WRITER

It has been a mixed bag for the county's two entries in the Virginia Dixie Youth Baseball Major League State Tournament being played here at the Day Complex.

Halifax County South was in the best shape among the local teams entering last night's action, having defeated Buckingham 5-3 in its opening-round game.

That win put Halifax County South in the winner's bracket where they were to face Rustburg last night.

Rustburg made it into the winner's bracket with a win over Dinwiddie National in its first-round contest.

Meanwhile today at 4 p.m., South Boston, which has staved off elimination once, will continue its battle to stay alive in the tournament.

South Boston's opponent in today's opening game will be the loser of last night's Halifax County South - Rustburg contest.

The loser of this game will go home while the winner will go on to another round of play on Tuesday.

South Boston, the tournament host team, lost 3-0 to Blacksburg in its opening-round game on Friday.

On Saturday, South Boston bounced back to win a game in the loser's bracket, downing Carroll County 8-1 and eliminating Carroll County from the tourney.

The tournament schedule has undergone a shift as the result of rainouts stemming from thunderstorms that rumbled across the area Friday night.

That shift has made it necessary to move the schedule back a full day, meaning that the double-elimination tournament cannot end until Wednesday.
The shift also made it necessary to schedule three games today instead of two, with game times set today at 4 p.m., 6 p.m. and 8 p.m.

HC South 5, Buckingham 3

Halifax County South, playing the fourth game of the opening-round, came from behind to defeat Buckingham 5-3.

Tyquan Graves led Halifax County South with two hits with Josh Rogers, Tyler Long Scott Rickman and Ralph Tuck each getting a hit.

Buckingham scored an unearned run on a passed ball in the bottom of the second inning to take a 1-0 lead.

Halifax County South tied the game in the top of the third inning when Taylor Elliott walked, moved to second base when Cody Reaves reached base on a bunt fielder's choice and scored on a single by Ralph Tuck.

A four-run rally in the top of the fourth inning broke the game open for Halifax County South.

Rogers began the inning with a base hit and moved to second base when Scott Rickman reached base on a hit. Michael Puryear walked to load the bases.

A double by Graves scored two runs and two more runs scored when Aaron Mitchell reached base on an error to give Halifax County South a 5-1 lead.
Buckingham answered with a pair of runs in the bottom of the fourth inning coming off of a two-RBI double by John Toney.

Halifax County South turned away a Buckingham threat in the bottom of the fifth inning after a hit and an error put two Buckingham runners in scoring position.

Buckingham stranded seven runners on the sacks in the contest while Halifax County South stranded six runners.

Blacksburg 3, South Boston 0

South Boston struggled in its first-round game, falling to Blacksburg 3-0 Friday afternoon.

Neither team hit the ball well with South Boston getting four hits and Blacksburg getting three hits.

Zane Long, Darrell Davis, Jason Gryder and Matthew Trent each had one hit for South Boston.

Blacksburg had three hits, one each from Michael Simonetti, Justin Bishop and Adam Bravns.

Four pitchers went to the mound for South Boston with Davis fanning six batters, Shaquan Bailey fanning three batters, Dale Trent Jr. striking out two batters and Antonio Walker fanning one batter.

Blacksburg scored its first run in the bottom of the first inning when Aaron Vest reached base on an error and scored on a South Boston error that occurred as he was attempting to steal second base.

Another run in the bottom of the second inning gave Blacksburg a 2-0 lead.
Bishop singled with one out, stole second base and third base and scored on a passed ball.

The final Blacksburg run scored in the bottom of the fourth inning when Simonetti singled with one out and later scored on a passed ball.

South Boston's biggest threat of the game came in the second inning when Davis singled with one out and Gryder backed it up with a hit to put two runners on the sacks.

The inning ended, however, when Aaron Puryear and J.R. Short went down on strikes.

It was a similar situation for South Boston in the top of the sixth inning.

Puryear walked with one out and advanced when Matthew Trent singled with two out.

The inning and the game ended, however, when Shaquan Bailey went down on strikes.

South Boston 8, Carroll County 1

South Boston staved off elimination by downing Carroll County 8-1 Saturday in the first tournament elimination game.

South Boston's hurlers, Davis, Walker and Dale Trent Jr. combined to spin a one-hitter and fan 15 batters.

Davis recorded seven strikeouts, Walker fanned six batters and Trent struck out two batters.

South Boston had nine hits with Dale Trent, Jr., Long, and Puryear each getting two hits.

Davis, Short and Matthew Trent each had one hit.

South Boston jumped on top early, picking up two runs in the first inning to grab a 2-0 lead.

Bailey walked, advanced to second base on a passed ball and scored on a hit by Dale Trent, Jr.

Walker reached base on a walk and Trent scored on a sacrifice fly to centerfield by Long to make it a 2-0 score.

Carroll County scored a run in the top of the fourth inning when Kevin Bunn walked and later scored on a bases-loaded single by Adam Crotts with two out.

South Boston padded its lead with a pair of runs it is half of the fourth inning.

Dale Trent Jr. and Walker started things off by reaching base on a walk.

Trent advanced around the bases on a series of passed balls to score a run and make it a 3-1 score.

Long singled, stole second base, moved to third base on a passed ball and scored when Davis reached base on an error to give South Boston a 4-1 lead.
A four-run rally by South Boston in the bottom of the fifth inning put the game out of reach.

Bailey walked, moved to second base on a passed ball and scored on a single by Dale Trent Jr.

Walker walked and Trent stole third base, setting the tables for a two-RBI double from Long that scored Trent and Walker.

A single by Davis plated Long to give South Boston its final seven-run cushion.

Obituaries

Annie Hazelwood Guill

Mrs. Annie Hazelwood Guill, 85, of South Boston, died Saturday, July 24, at the Woodview Nursing Home.

She was born in Halifax County on December 23, 1918.

Mrs. Guill was the daughter of John Averett Hazelwood and Lula Cook Hazelwood.

She was a member of the Revelation Baptist Church.

Mrs. Guill is survived by: two grandsons, Tim Lloyd of South Boston, and Dean Satterfield of Suffolk; one niece, Shirley Baird of Richmond; one great-granddaughter, Leighanne Lloyd of South Boston.

Graveside services will be held Monday, July 26, at 11 a.m. at Halifax Memorial Gardens with Rev. Rudolph Jacobs conducting the service.

Charles Rickie Hammock

Mr. Charles Rickie Hammock, 52, of Cedar Lane, Halifax, died Wednesday, July 21 at his home.

He was born in Franklin County, Alabama, on April 9, 1952.

He was the son of Charles Travis Hammock and Dorothy Armstrong Hammock and was married to Sandi Mauldin Hammock.

Mr. Hammock was a member of the First Presbyterian Church, South Boston, was a member of the News Ferry Hunt Club and was general manager of Sunshine Mills in Halifax.

He is survived by: his wife, Sandi Mauldin Hammock; two daughters, Amanda Hammock and fiance Rolando Toyos of Memphis, TN, and Christie Noblin and husband Steve of Halifax; two grandsons, Tyler Wayne Noblin of Halifax, and Aaron Elijah Noblin of Halifax; his mother, Dorothy Armstrong Hammock of Red Bay, Alabama; one brother, Scotty Hammock and wife Quida of Red Bay, Alabama; one sister, Esta McKinney and husband Jerry of Red Bay, Alabama; and a number of nieces, nephews and friends.

A memorial service was held on Saturday, July 24, with the Rev. Dr. Russell Lee, the Rev. Ed Melvin and the Rev. Terry Blevins officiating.

In lieu of flowers, please consider the Halifax Volunteer Fire Department.

Derick Charles Eli Hammock

Mr. Derick Charles Eli Hammock, 19, of Cedar Lane, Halifax, died Wednesday, July 21, at his home.

He was born in Birmingham, Alabama, on March 23, 1985.

He was the son of Charles Rickie Hammock and Sandi Mauldin Hammock.

Mr. Hammock was a graduate of Halifax County Senior High School, a member of the First Presbyterian Church in South Boston, the Halifax Volunteer Fire Department and the News Ferry Hunt Club.

He is survived by: his mother, Sandi Mauldin Hammock of Halifax; two sisters, Amanda Hammock and fiance Rolando Toyos of Memphis, TN, Christie Noblin and husband Steve of Halifax; his grandmother, Dorothy Armstrong Hammock of Red Bay, Alabama; two nephews, Tyler Wayne Noblin and Aaron Elijah Noblin, both of Halifax; and a number of aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.
A memorial service was held Saturday, July 24, with the Rev. Dr. Russell Lee, the Rev. Ed Melvin and the Rev. Terry Blevins officiating.

In lieu of flowers, please consider the Halifax Volunteer Fire Department.