SAN ANTONIO – A man was sentenced to life in prison Wednesday for the fatal shooting of his stepson-in-law.
Vernon Dixon, 57, was found guilty of three charges by a Bexar County jury in connection with the shooting death of Avante Boyce, 21, in March 2022.
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According to trial testimony, Dixon shot Boyce twice while the victim was seated in a vehicle and in front of Boyce’s girlfriend and child.
After the guilty verdict, Dixon claimed incompetence. A competency test was ordered, and the defendant was found to be competent, which paved the way for his punishment.
Dixon was convicted of murder, felon in possession of a firearm and tampering with evidence.
The jury also took into consideration Dixon’s two prior convictions on drug-related offenses, which classified him as a habitual offender and increased his range of punishment to 25 to 99 years or life in prison.
“This was a senseless killing with no discernible motive,” said Bexar County Criminal District Attorney Joe Gonzales. “San Antonio and Bexar County are safer because Vernon Dixon, as a habitual offender, will likely spend the rest of his life in prison.”