A Wake County jury voted unanimously yesterday to sentence Charles Dickerson to life without parole for the murder of his ex-girlfriend, Brenda Fox. Dickerson could have been sentenced to death.
As he was being led away, Dickerson turned to the victim’s oldest son and said, “I’m sorry.” Jason Fox replied, “I forgive you.”
In 2006, Brenda Fox was beaten, wrapped in a blanket, and left to die. Her injuries were so numerous that the medical examiner could not count them all. Dickerson took Fox’s car and her money and fled the state. Fox’s body was discovered by her daughters the day before she was to have married another man. She left four children behind.
Dickerson suffers from bipolar disorder. He was launched into depression shortly before the murder due to Fox’s marriage, an impending foreclosure, and the possibility of losing custody of his son.
September 17, 2008 at 4:55 am |
I don’t think there is any comfort for the ones who lose their loved ones to murder. I lost my brother to a horrible act of violence by gangs mistaking his car for a rival gang member. He was gunned down while driving in his car. These young men had no regard for the life of who ever was in that car. That night it was there agenda to kill. I still don’t know what my take is on execution. I want justice for what they did. I don’t know if I will be satisfied with life in prison because the opportunity for parole should not be an option. And I feel that as long as they are alive, there is that possibility. Dickerson should not be allowed parole EVER! I am a social worker and I feel that mental health has been used to justify deviant behavior to often and evil doers have been able to use it as a defense leaving victims and family with doubts about the justice system. The death penalty should remain an option for criminals, no matter the deterence rate.
September 17, 2008 at 8:15 am |
JJ – I am very sorry for your loss. If it is any comfort, a life sentence is truly a life sentence in most states. Life without parole is an option in every state except Alaska and New Mexico. I wish you the best.
December 6, 2008 at 12:32 am |
I knew Brenda Fox .. she was like my second mother growing up in my early teens when I hung out with her daughter all the time. I think about this lady daily and I don’t think it will ever really settle. I am glad Dickerson received life without parole; however, it will not change the consequences of his actions. Brenda Fox was by far one of the sweetest and energetic women I’ve met to this day. She was always up for a spontaneous adventure and man, she loved her children more than anything this world had to offer. God bless!