Two men accused in a fatal home invasion robbery in San Francisco’s Bayview District last week pleaded not guilty today to murder charges.
Eric Jordan, 38, and Gary Jones, 18, were arrested following the shooting of 57-year-old Dennis Wayne Dixon inside Dixon’s home in the 2000 block of Palou Avenue on the night of Sept. 14.
After an initial hearing in San Francisco Superior Court on Friday, a fight broke out between grieving members of Dixon’s family and relatives of the suspects outside the courtroom.
Today, Judge Bruce Chan warned members of the audience that any disruption would not be tolerated.
“The other day we had an unacceptable situation occur,” Chan said.
There were no outbursts today at a brief hearing in which Jordan and Jones were arraigned on charges of murder, robbery and burglary. Jordan is also charged with being a convicted felon in possession of a gun, and Jones is charged with assault with a firearm for the alleged pistol-whipping.
Both men pleaded not guilty and remain in custody on $10 million bail each.
The murder charges include two special-circumstance allegations of committing murder during a robbery and committing murder during a burglary, both of which make the suspects eligible for the death penalty or life without parole if convicted.
“It would be helpful to know if the district attorney is seeking the penalty of death,” Gordon’s attorney, Rafael Trujillo, told Chan.
Chan responded that the issue could be taken up at a later hearing. Both men are due back in court Oct. 13.
District Attorney Kamala Harris has said she is personally opposed to the death penalty, and has not pursued it during her tenure as district attorney.
According to police, on the night of the murder, two men came to Dixon’s door at about 11 p.m., and when he answered, tried to rob him.
After a verbal altercation, Dixon was shot and his adult son was pistol-whipped, police said.
A neighbor called 911 and police arrived quickly.
Jordan and Jones were seen leaving the home and detained, police said.
According to prosecutors, Jones was allegedly found with some of Dixon’s possessions.
Ari Burack, Bay City News
