February 01, 2019 - 3:35 AM
FRANKLINTON, La. - A 25-year-old Louisiana man was sentenced to 70 years in prison after admitting during his trial that he killed his mother and wounded a neighbour and a police officer.
Christopher Rashad Dillon of Franklinton pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of Robin Dillon as well as attempted armed robbery, possessing a firearm after a felony conviction, and two counts of attempted first-degree murder, District Attorney Warren Montgomery said in a news release Thursday.
Dillon entered his plea on Tuesday, after the second day of his trial. He admitted shooting a neighbour while trying to rob him on Dec. 19, 2013, then shooting and killing his mother while rummaging through her purse. When Franklinton police arrived, Dillon said he would surrender, but instead shot Sgt. Chad Dorsett.
Montgomery said Dillon kept police from entering the house by claiming he held his mother hostage, but she already had been shot and was dying. After about an hour, he started a fire on the floor of the bedroom where his mother lay, crawling out through a window as the trailer home became engulfed in flames.
The neighbour's right arm was shattered. The bullet that hit Dorsett went through the officer's arm and was then stopped by his bullet-proof vest, the news release said.
District Judge Scott Gardner of Covington sentenced Dillon to 40 years for manslaughter, 50 years for the attempted murder counts, and 49 1/2 years for one count of attempted armed robbery. Those are to be served simultaneously, followed by 20 years on the weapons charge. He is not eligible for parole, probation or a suspended sentence, the judge said.
News from © The Associated Press, 2019