Gov. Brown grants clemency for man in robberies

SALEM, Ore. (AP) – Oregon Gov. Kate Brown has granted clemency to a man who has been serving time for robberies he committed when he was 17.
 
The governor on Tuesday commuted Brandon Dixon’s 15-year sentence one day before he turned 25 and would have been transferred to a state prison.
 
KATU-TV reports (https://goo.gl/VgBH5Y) that he had been serving time with the Oregon Youth Authority for robbing convenience stores and a Denny’s restaurant while high on meth. Dixon pleaded guilty to robbery and theft charges in 2009.
 
Brown in a statement called Dixon’s case an extraordinary one. She says he has demonstrated sincere remorse and has transformed into a hard-working, dependable role model to other incarcerated juveniles.
 
Clackamas County District Attorney John Foote supported the Dixon’s application for clemency.

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Gov. Brown news release:

Governor Brown Commutes Sentence of youth inmate Brandon Dixon

(Salem, OR) — Governor Kate Brown on Monday conditionally commuted the sentence of Brandon M. Dixon , who was incarcerated by the Oregon Youth Authority. The commutation occurs one day before Mr. Dixon ‘s 25th birthday, when, by law, he would be transferred to a Department of Corrections prison. Mr. Dixon ‘s application for clemency is supported several of the crime victims of his crimes, and the Clackamas County District Attorney John S. Foote, whose office prosecuted Mr. Dixon .

“Clemency is an extraordinary remedy and Brandon Dixon is an extraordinary case,” Governor Brown said. ” Brandon has demonstrated sincere remorse and has spent his time in Oregon Youth Authority custody mentoring troubled youth there. He has transformed from, in his own words, an ‘unstable, unapologetic punk,’ into a mature, hard-working, educated, humble, empathetic, and dependable role model to other incarcerated youth. A governor’s constitutional power of clemency exists for exceptional cases like this, and the support Brandon received from District Attorney Foote is a testament to the young man’s demonstrated commitment to leading a law-abiding, productive life moving forward.”

“We have been informed by many sources that Mr. Dixon has dedicated himself, while at OYA, to learn from his mistakes and repay his debt to our community,” District Attorney Foote said in a letter to Governor Brown. “We have been told that he has demonstrated his potential to be a productive, law-abiding citizen. We have been informed that Mr. Dixon has expressed complete and sincere accountability for his criminal conduct, unlike most offenders we see. … Mr. Dixon ‘s behavioral, educational, and work history while at Hillcrest and MacLaren has evidenced his commitment to not only being a law-abiding citizen, but actually giving back to the community.”

When Mr. Dixon was 17 years old, he pleaded guilty to robbery in first degree, three counts of robbery in the second degree, and theft in the first degree. Over a period of 12 days, while high on methamphetamine, Mr. Dixon committed several armed robberies of convenience stores and a Denny’s Restaurant. He did not cause any physical injuries to the victims of these crimes. He was sentenced to 15 years of incarceration, of which he has served more than half at Oregon Youth Authority facilities. While incarcerated, Mr. Dixon completed high school, earned an associate’s degree from Chemeketa Community College with a 3.94 grade point average, and is working toward a bachelor’s degree in business administration at Eastern Oregon University. He also become a certified barber and hairdresser, and earned a vocational teacher’s license to teach barbering to others. According to a letter from his barbering instructor, Mr. Dixon is the first OYA youth ever to accomplish this.

“He is an outstanding mentor on campus – highly regarded by both staff and his peers, OYA staff member Christina Puentes said of Mr. Dixon . ” Brandon is always willing to help whenever help is needed. Brandon has taken every opportunity given to him and used it to its fullest.”

Portland State University professor and OYA volunteer Deborah Smith Arthur said of Mr. Dixon , “He is a leader on the [MacLaren] campus. I watched him support others, running alongside them, quite literally, when they were struggling during a recent marathon race at [MacLaren]. This image is one that summarizes what I know of Brandon – someone who has made the necessary changes in his life to be successful, and literally runs beside others to support them in changing their own lives as well. Brandon is a kind, bright, and empathetic person with a sincere desire to be a support to others and to do his part to make the world a better place.”