Attorney Withdraws From Shooting Case

Public Defender Scott Gropp has been forced to withdraw from a case he was assigned to in January of this year due to a conflict of interest.Tyler J. Dixon of Beatrice was arraigned in Jefferson County District Court via webcam from the Jefferson County Jail on Wednesday, February 2, 2022. Linda Bauer was the presiding judge.Dixon is charged with use of a firearm to commit a felony, a class 1C felony, punishable by five to 50 years in prison; unlawful discharge of a firearm, a class 1D felony, punishable by three to 50 years in prison; and terroristic threats, a class 3A felony, punishable by three years in prison, nine to 18 months of post-release supervision and a $10,000 fine.On January 16 of this year, deputies with the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office were dispatched to Harbine in response to a 911 call. According to the Arrest Affidavit, the reporting party alleged Dixon and another individual, “were in a black Ford Mustang, with 'Black Beauty' on the back window, chasing him on Highway 136 and Tyler Dixon pulled out a gun and shot at his truck.”Deputies made contact with the reporting party in Harbine. The reporting party indicated he had been driving eastbound on Highway 136, heading to Beatrice. He was east of Jansen when he observed the car. According to the affidavit, “When he was in front of the Mustang, in his side mirror he observed Tyler Dixon with a black colored handgun out the window, aimed at his truck and Tyler shot the gun, firing two (2) shots.”The deputy that filled out the affidavit noted that, while the reporting party was filling out a Voluntary Statement form, “I observed a Black Ford Mustang with ‘Black Beauty’ on the back windshield pull up and parked in front of my patrol vehicle.”The deputy identified the driver as the ex-girlfriend of the victim, who gave deputies verbal consent to search her car.“I located a brown colored leather wallet inside the center consol containing a Nebraska Drivers License for Tyler Dixon,” the deputy wrote in the affidavit.The deputy then spoke with the Beatrice Police Department and requested the BPD to attempt to locate Tyler Dixon.BPD made contact with the defendant's mother and advised, “that he needed to contact the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office.”Dixon called the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office and he was told to go to the Beatrice Police Station to complete a statement. Dixon complied and was then transported to Jefferson County, where he was booked and lodged.Dixon first appeared in Jefferson County Court on January 19, 2022. At that time, the Public Defender was assigned to the case. However, it was later learned that Gropp represents the alleged victim. Due to the conflict of interest, Gropp withdrew from the case and Judge Bauer assigned Ben Murray as Dixon's new attorney.Bond was set at $100,000 (10 percent). Dixon said he was unable to pay that amount and requested a reduction. Dixon said he could pay $1,000.County Attorney Joseph Casson objected to a bond reduction. Judge Bauer denied the request.The next hearing for the case is scheduled for February 9.

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