Suspects in Devil's Diciple murder in court

BAY MINETTE, Ala. (WALA) - Fred Weiss and Adam Mayton are charged with murder were in court Dec. 13. They are accused of shooting Dixson, 54, to death . Their attorneys requested a bond reduction and lowering their charges.

Mary Kate Hockett, Ruth Ann Boyles, Charles Ozier and Bruce Talbot were all charged with hindering the prosecution.

Investigators said the four lied or withheld information related to the September shooting death of Samuel Dixson of Milton, Florida. Dixson was a member of the Devil's Disciples motorcycle gang.

Prosecutors said fellow gang members Mayton and Weiss killed Dixon following an argument inside a gang party house near Wilcox Road.

Police said both men turned themselves in three days after the shooting and admitted to the murder.  Investigators said Weiss has been implicated as the shooter, and Mayton’s attorney wants his client’s charge reduced.

“He’s clearly not guilty,” exclaimed defense attorney Pascal Bruijn after the hearing.  “The only thing he’s guilty of is being in the same room when somebody else got shot.  That’s all we’ve heard today.”

District Attorney Hallie Dixon said that because Mayton was present when Dixson was killed, his role in the crime was just as criminal and the charge of murder should stand.

“He turned himself in saying that he was there to turn himself in on a murder,” said Dixon.  “It was then later figured out what murder, and all of the evidence is consistent that he was present during the murder and not just at the party; but within the trailer where the murder actually occurred as well as multiple statements from other witnesses that put him there.”

Prosecutors said the other four defendants played roles in covering up the crime by either buying cleaning materials or actually cleaning up the crime scene.  Investigators found traces of blood throughout Weiss’ suburban.  The party house near Wilcox Road where investigators believe Dixson was shot was set on fire after the murder.

Dixson’s body was found a few miles away in a ditch.  Investigators said there were tire tracks consistent with a dully pickup belonging to Bruce Talbot at the scene.  Talbot was not a member of the motorcycle gang, but lives across the street from the party house and investigators say he wanted to be part of the group.  Talbot’s attorney maintains his client’s innocence.

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When asked about his client’s truck being used to transport Dixson’s body, defense attorney Jason Darley responded, “Correct, but there’s also testimony from the detective that it was a ‘communal truck’ that the keys were left in the vehicle, and that it was often used by other people.”

Darley didn’t want to comment further on whether or not his client played a role in cleaning up after the crime.  When asked about it, he responded, Yah, they’ve (prosecutors) got information as to that, but I’m not going to comment on it.”

Defense attorneys for all six suspects entered several motions…some for a reduction in charges and five of the six for a reduction in bond.  Eric Ozier is already out on bond under house arrest.  Judge Jody Bishop is expected to rule on those motions at a later date.   

District Attorney, Hallie Dixon said the investigation into this murder is dynamic and ongoing.  She said it’s very possible that more arrests could be forthcoming.