A 64-year-old man has been sentenced to 40 years in prison for shooting his son and 20 years for shooting his daughter-in-law during a violent and shocking incident that occurred at their Dickinson, Texas, home just before Christmas in 2021.
The trial, which began on Monday and lasted the entire week, resulted in Chad Anthony Dick being convicted of more serious charges than he initially faced.
The Shooting Incident
On December 5, 2021, Dickinson Police and Galveston County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a distress call at a residence. Upon arrival, officers found neighbors restraining Chad Dick at gunpoint.
Among those who intervened was George Dick, a retired fire chief, who assisted his son, George, and his daughter-in-law, Hilary, until medical help arrived.
George, 33, sustained a gunshot wound to his abdomen, leaving him in critical condition. Hilary, 33, was shot in the arm, an injury so devastating that it resulted in lasting complications and rendered her unable to use her arm. The couple’s two young children were in the house at the time of the attack.
Charges Were Upgraded
Initially, Chad was charged with two counts of second-degree aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. However, as the trial progressed, the charges were elevated to first-degree aggravated assault with a deadly weapon causing serious injury to family members.
During the trial, the jury listened to nearly four hours of Chad’s taped statements. In the recordings, Chad admitted to being intoxicated at the time of the incident and claimed he could not clearly remember the events. He maintained that he shot his son in self-defense after being yelled at but failed to elaborate on what threat, if any, had provoked the shooting.
The Trial and Testimonies
During the trial, prosecutors Casey Kirst and Nathan Farmer presented compelling evidence and witness testimony. They also pointed out Chad’s criminal history, specifically a prior burglary conviction, which weakened his claim of self-defense.
Hilary gave an emotional and powerful testimony about how her life was permanently changed by the shooting, while George described the challenges of his recovery. His injuries were severe: he lost a kidney, a portion of his intestines, and part of his colon. His recovery involved numerous surgeries and complications.
Letters from Jail
In the sentencing phase, the prosecution introduced letters Chad had written from jail. These letters, in which Chad requested money, demonstrated no signs of remorse for his actions. Prosecutor Casey Kirst argued that these letters reflected Chad’s lack of change and regret, further solidifying his credibility as unreliable.
The Sentence
After deliberation, the jury sentenced Chad to 40 years in prison for shooting his son, George, and 20 years for shooting his daughter-in-law, Hilary. Chad will become eligible for parole after serving half of his 40-year sentence.
This tragic case has profoundly impacted the victims, their children, and the Dickinson community. The consequences of Chad Dick’s actions will be felt for years to come.