AP: Murder victim's roommates "used her for target practice"

We'd posted recently about Dorothy Dixon, a disabled pregnant woman who was basically tortured to death in Alton, Ill. Now the AP has a take on the case here. Snip:

Banished to the basement, the 29-year-old mother with a childlike mind and another baby on the way had little more than a thin rug and a mattress to call her own on the chilly concrete floor.

Dorothy Dixon ate what she could forage from the refrigerator upstairs, where housemates used her for target practice with BBs, burned her with a glue gun and doused her with scalding liquid that peeled away her skin.

They torched what few clothes she had, so she walked around naked. They often pummeled her with an aluminum bat or metal handle.

Dixon -- six months pregnant -- died after weeks of abuse. Police have charged two adults, three teenagers and a 12-year-old boy with murder in the case that has repulsed many in this Mississippi River town.

The whole story is heart-breaking.

Comments

[Newbie]

I absolutely hate stories like this. The people who did this are some very very sick individuals.

What would be going through the mind of the abusers? They had to think up stuff to do to her. They need to have the same thing done to them.

I have not lost my temper in over twenty five years. THESE PEOPLE SHOULD BE PUT TO DEATH IMMEDIATELY. Don't even waste taxpayer money prolonging this horrendous act.

[xvet]

What a horrible story a real human being would be absolutely appalled by this.
When the comment was made it was almost like she was in prison. Even prisons in this country treat people with more respect than that. Except of course Gitmo, but I forgot that isn't in this country.
xvet

[xvet]

What a horrible story a real human being would be absolutely appalled by this.
When the comment was made it was almost like she was in prison. Even prisons in this country treat people with more respect than that. Except of course Gitmo, but I forgot that isn't in this country.
xvet

[Newbie]

This is one where the criminal needs to PAY for his crime

[blarney]

Gitmo? How many times have you been to gitmo? Oh forget it you haven't you are just making crap up.

This is a sad story, lucky for the gal she doesn't have to deal with it anymore.

[D]

Even if they plead guilty, they should get death. Even the 12 year old.

Take them to a gun range and let paying customers use them as target practice.

Sick, sick, sick.

What can you say? Humans are the most evil beings on the face of the Earth. These worthless pieces of human trash should be disposed of promptly.

[B-ri]

Maybe they should just do likewise to them. And if it doesn't kill them, send in some dogs.

[teach]

I assume that stories like this are not a surprise to me because I see on a daily basis mean, cruel, and uncaring children. I am happy to report they are not the majority but their numbers are growing. They will turn into mean, cruel, uncaring adults. Throw in some drugs and...VIOLA...we have the major players in this story. The outlook is dim....we need to show in no uncertain terms that this behavior will not be accepted or tolerated. Fear can work wonders if used cautiously. I am turning more and more to the EYE FOR AN EYE THEORY!!!

they should also have to pay back the money of hers that they took from her, give it to her other child or pay it back to the system.

[ANON]

I read in another article they found 30 BBs lodged in her skin. She also had deep tissue burns covering 1/3 of their body. These people need major jail time.

[Patriot]

Time to bring back the rope.

[Herbert Spencer]

This is why the death penalty must not only be available, but administered promptly. The people who did this should be dead within months of being caught and within days of the end of the trial, not years and years and years that make a mockery of the entire process.

And I agree, the 12 year old goes with them.

Some slick lawyer will get these people very little jail time. We live in a "sinful" not sick generation. People like that do it on purpose and you don't get sick on purpose. Call it what it is and give them the death sentence to die in 90 days not 30 years.

[Kevan]

Now if this woman endured this for her children is what it looks like to me & she herself had a mind of a child to me the crimes these people commited should be as if they did them to a child. CRIMES AGAINST CHILDREN ARE UNEXCUSABLE & SHOULD BE PUNISHED BY DEATH!

[wycowolf]

I say use them as test subjects for AIDS and the Ebola virus. That way they can contribute SOMETHING to society. Otherwise, a short trial, and death sentences for all.
I'm not for revenge, but justice should be done. These people have nothing to offer civilization, therefore they should never ever walk free again. There is no rehabilitation, no atonement, no penance, and no forgiveness for this type of offense.

[bob]

The one lady was the "ringleader" so to speak. She ruled the house. I don't know how she managed to make everyone obey, but maybe they were afraid that she'd make everyone turn on them too.

Sad sad story.

[The Forgiver]

I don't think jail is the answer. These poor people are the victims of childhood vilonce I'm sure. Some good counseling and they will be fine. Their stories just nedd to be "heard" in loving, non-judgemental way.If everyone would get some good counseling we would have no need for prisons.
These poor people need our love and understanding

[honanon]

So does the story say where her first child is and how she was pregnant with a 2nd child? I'm confused on that end - did they sexually abuse her and impregnate her too? And does IL have a law charging for death of a fetus?

[Executioneer]

I'll personally be glad to throw the switch!
Gladly.

the story said they found her 1-year-old next to her and the 1-year-old weighed just 15 pounds when found.
it scares the hell out of me that people like this are alive.

[Gary]

W.T.F.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This is just plain insane!

[deadhead]

God was there. They were created by Him. It is in us to stop all unjustice. When?

[just remember...]

this story, the next time you hear the liberals talking about how 'cruel and unusual' the punishment is in our prison system. These people will get 'three hots and a cot' for however long...PLUS they'll end up with t.v., recreational facilities, and they're 'Constitutional Rights'.

What does the victim now have??

[A veteran]

"Get a rope".
---John Wayne.

[Tony]

Jeremiah 6:15 "Were they ashamed because of the abomination they have done? They were not even ashamed at all; They did not even know how to blush. Therefore they shall fall among those who fall; At the time that I punish them, They shall be cast down," says the Lord." Some people are so wicked, their conscience so seared, that they're no longer capable of feeling shame or remorse. To say these folks are disturbed is a severe understatement. Unbelieveable...

[Engawyer]

Yes this story infuriated me too, and I would leave the death penalty on the table especially with respect to the ring leader; but lets hold off jugement until they get their day in court. I might offer a plea to the 12 year old in exchange for hiser cooperation; the 12 year old probably being the least culpable of the bunch.

[STL]

"Like the pre-born who are small and helpless, she was less than human because of her mental weakness" says the evolutionist. "In the natural world the strongest and smartest survive via natural selection" says the Darwinist. This inhuman behavior toward a fellow human is what one would expect from students so indoctrinated. It is very sad, but this is the fruit of chance and natural selection in a world without God.

[True American]

Amen, Tony. And to the Forgiver... counselling these monsters is futile at best. They need to be put down like the rabid dogs they are. They chose the path to destruction - let them experience the fullest consequence of those choices.

[True American]

STL - if the evolutionist trully thinks that someone is less human due to mental weakness (whether by still being an embreyo, a retarded person, or the elderly who've lost their faculties, then that elitist thinking views eliminating a good portion of the world's population as a viable solution - a population created by God who have the choice to follow him, or follow Satan - which these people obviously chose to do. As for "Duh-win", his theory that the strong survive should also consider that the Godly will also make an effort to help the weak survive and help them see their ability to become strong. We're not animals. We are created with the ability to love, reason, and make choices due to future consequences. These dogs need put down. Period. God will deal with them His way.