Gazette file photo Evan Dixon is shown during a video-conference from Houghton County Jail in July of 2024. Dixon entered a plea of no contest to one count of second degree murder Monday.

HOUGHTON – Former attorney Evan Andrew Dixon, 62, pleaded no contest to one count of second-degree murder in Houghton County 12th Circuit Count on Monday, before Judge Matthew Wiese. Court documents state that as part of the plea agreement, two other charges, first-degree murder and felony firearms, were dismissed. A no-contest plea allows the court to treat the defendant as guilty for sentencing without a formal admission of guilt.

According to court records, Dixon was previously scheduled for a jury trial beginning Aug. 31. A stipulation to adjourn the jury trial was entered on April 1, with all calendar items removed from the docket.

Dixon was arrested on Nov. 17, 2023 at the Douglass House Saloon in downtown Houghton, where he allegedly fatally shot Houghton resident Theron Duncan, 53, and was arraigned in 97th District Court. Judge Nicholas Daavettila, who worked with Dixon as a fellow attorney and later presided over his cases, recused himself from subsequent proceedings.

Dixon waived his preliminary examination and the case bound over to the 12th Circuit Court. Circuit Court Judge Brittany Bulliet, who previously served as county prosecutor and assistant prosecutor, recused herself from the case in September to avoid the appearance of impropriety.

Dixon is scheduled for formal sentencing on Aug. 31. The plea agreement carries a stipulated minimum sentence of 18 years in prison. A maximum sentence has not been finalized, but is scheduled to be determined at his sentencing hearing.