STARKVILLE— An Oktibbeha County Circuit Court jury found Dustin Nixon guilty of second-degree murder on Friday evening.
The jury deliberated for about an hour before delivering the verdict following a four-day criminal trial against Nixon. Judge James Kitchens deferred his sentencing to Tuesday.
Nixon, 36, allegedly shot his brother-in-law Shawn Stricklin, 26, on April 28, 2018. When law enforcement found Stricklin’s body, he was in his vehicle at the end of Nixon’s driveway off Highway 12. Nixon was charged two days later.
During the trial, Stricklin’s ex-girlfriend Hailey Jackson Wells testified that she spent the day with Nixon before the shooting at his apartment and then at his camper. She said Stricklin arrived on Nixon’s property at the time of the incident, saying he was looking for her.
Wells testified that she hid in a bathroom after Stricklin arrived, but she heard five shots ring out while she was hiding.
During the trial, the state displayed photos showing the car was in reverse, indicating that Stricklin was backing out of the driveway when he was shot.
“It is undisputed that not only was Shawn going in reverse … but he was shot in the back of the head as he was turning around trying to get back on Highway 12,” Assistant District Attorney Ben Rush said during closing arguments. “He … was trying to get out of there as the defendant was shooting at him. … He was trying to flee for his life.”
Defense Attorney Mark Jackson said Stricklin was warned by Nixon to not come on his property the Wednesday before the shooting. He also said Stricklin was threatening Nixon at the time of the shooting, making Nixon’s shooting of Stricklin an act of self-defense.
“The state told you in opening (statements) that no one told Shawn not to be there,” Jackson said. “Then you heard the testimony about Wednesday. … But he was told repeatedly on Wednesday, ‘Leave. Don’t come back. You’re not welcome here.’”
After the trial, Rush said he was very satisfied with the results of the case.
“Now we can get this family some justice,” Rush said. “It’s been five years. And now I’m just very happy that they can sleep and rest at night.”
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 48 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 48 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
Join the Discussion