Gun possession adds 15 years in federal prison to state manslaughter sentence
Matthew Dickel, already sentenced to six years in prison on state charges of involuntary manslaughter and wanton endangerment, received the maximum 15 years in federal prison, with no possibility of parole, after pleading guilty to making a false statement in the acquisition of a firearm and being an unlawful user of drugs in possession of a firearm.
Dickel, of Parkersburg, had pleaded guilty in August 2006 to the charges, which relate to his acquiring a firearm five days prior to shooting and killing Leanda Cristina Rose Atkinson in front of the couple's young child in Vienna, West Virginia, on May 22, 2004.
At the sentencing hearing in November, 2007, Chief U.S. District Judge Joseph R. Goodwin recounted testimony from numerous witnesses from prior hearings regarding Dickel’s pattern of physical and mental abuse against Ms. Atkinson, threats to kill her with a gun, and threats to harm others who attempted to help her.
Dickel is a "violent and dangerous person," Goodwin said, and his "behavior, lack of acceptance of responsibility for the murder, and lack of respect for the law is longstanding." Goodwin said he imposed the maximum sentence allowed because of Dickel’s violent nature and the need to protect society.
"This case should send a strong message to violent criminals who commit crimes with firearms. This office will protect the public by vigorously prosecuting dangerous criminals who commit firearms offenses," said Charles T. Miller, U.S. attorney for the Southern District of West Virginia.
Hard Time for Gun Crime is a part of Project Sate Neighborhoods, a national effort to reduce gun violence.
© 2008 Hard Time for Gun Crime