Adrian, MI – An Adrian man has been sentenced on charges he pled guilty to in the 2019 murder of Christopher Dickerson. 30-year-old Austin Richardson was in Lenawee County Circuit Court Tuesday morning. He was one of three people who went into a wooded area in the southwest part of the county in the winter of 2019…and was one of two who walked out.
Richardson has said in court that a man named David Taylor shot and killed Dickerson, while Taylor said Richardson did the killing. Both men made those statements in a trial against Count Tereso the Almighty Trevino and Andrew Cecil.
Trevino and Cecil were both charged in Dickerson’s murder. Trevino was found guilty and sentenced to a minimum of 45 years in prison. Cecil’s case was deemed a mistrial…and has since pleaded guilty to lesser charges.
Richardson’s Defense Attorney David Goldstein, Lenawee County Assistant Prosecutor Douglas Hartung, and Circuit Court Judge Anna Marie Anzalone all acknowledged Richardson’s information he provided to the police. The question raised at sentencing was how to value his cooperation.
Goldstein said prior to sentencing that what happened to Dickerson should not have happened. He pointed out that his client is not an angel, but murdering someone is ‘not his client.’ Goldstein said that Richardson did not want to be a Latin Count…and the only way out was to do something on behalf of them. While he did say his client was involved, he said that Richardson didn’t kill Dickerson. Goldstein emphasized that Richardson risked his own life by testifying against a Count. He also pointed out that Richardson has already spent five-and-a-half years in the Lenawee County Jail.
Richardson (pictured below) made a brief comment at sentencing, saying that he is not the same man as five-and-a-half years ago. Richardson, showing emotion, said that he takes responsibility for his actions.
Prosecutor Hartung spoke about May of 2018, when Dickerson was stabbed. He was asked ‘who stabbed you?’ His response was that he couldn’t say because “they will kill me.” Hartung said that Chris foreshadowed his own murder…predicted it.
Hartung said Tuesday that Dickerson’s death was “so unnecessary.” Dickerson had told his mom, Tracy Dickerson, that he was not going to testify. In fact, he had not been served a subpoena. Hartung acknowledged Dickerson was not a Saint, but he didn’t murder anybody…and did not have the opportunity to right his wrongs.
Hartung has asked himself the question, “how do you value the contributions of people like Austin Richardson?” He said that the court has discretion. The recommendation from the pre sentencing investigation said 26 years in jail…at the low end. He said that he appreciated Tracy’s comments made prior to sentencing, but realistically he can’t agree that the maximum sentence makes sense. Hartung advocated for a minimum 12 years in prison. He believes Richardson is sorry.
Richardson’s attorney was looking for two years, but thought five would be appropriate… on top of the five-and-a-half he has already served.
Circuit Court Judge Anna Marie Anzalone said, prior to sentencing, that Tracy has living sons and grandchildren. She said that Chris would want you to put your life back together. When speaking of Richardson, she said that ‘to get your life back, you took a life.’ She said that she can’t imagine making that decision. She said that gang activity destroys our community…it takes young men and destroys lives, and it breaks her heart.
Judge Anzalone said that 15 years would be appropriate, and that Richardson chose to work with police for a lesser sentence. She said that the Lenawee County Jail is not designed for long term stays. She said that Richardson has been diagnosed with mental health issues. She said that she is “responsible for justice for all.”
Ultimately, Judge Anzalone sentenced Richardson to 90 to 240 months for a gang felony, and 90 to 720 months for the second degree murder charge, plus restitution and fines. The sentence will be served concurrently…after he serves the rest of his current sentence for parole violation.
Tracy Dickerson spoke to WLEN News after the sentencing. She said that it was a slap in her son’s face…that her son’s life is worth way more than that. She said that she feels let down. She said that she never agreed to anything except offering 2nd degree murder to Richardson. Her recommendation would have been for life in prison, but did acknowledge that the pre sentence report was for 26 years…minimum. She said she is not happy with the sentence, and that she is going to let everyone know. Dickerson, in talking to WLEN News, said that she has a voice and she gets to use it for her son. She said that she’s sick to her stomach and could not believe what she heard at sentencing.
There is a pretrial hearing for David Taylor scheduled for Wednesday, August 14th before Lenawee County Circuit Court Judge Michael Olsaver. He has been charged with Accessory After the Fact to a Felony in connection to the Dickerson murder.
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