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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowTwo inmates at the Terre Haute Federal Correctional Institution have been convicted for their roles in the death of a fellow inmate, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Indiana announced Wednesday. William J. Bell and Lenard Dixon were recently ordered to wear modified leg restraints during their trial.
Bell was convicted of first-degree murder and Dixon was convicted of accessory after the fact after a three-day trial before Judge Jane Magnus-Stinson. Evidence showed that Bell entered the cell of Brian Pendleton in 2011 and stabbed him to death. Dixon, Bell’s cellmate, concealed evidence of the crime, including the murder weapon.
Before the trial, Magnus-Stinson granted the government’s request that Bell and Dixon wear the modified leg irons during their jury trial. She found both men have lengthy criminal histories that show a propensity of violence toward others.
At the time of the crime, Bell was serving a nearly eight-year sentence for carjacking and Dixon was serving a 35-year sentence for robbery. Bell now faces up to life in prison and Dixon faces up to 15 years for their recent convictions.
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