Accomplice of man killed by Vietnam vet in self-defense found liable, gets 25-year sentence

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EDWARDSVILLE — A man whose associate was shot and killed by the Vietnam War veteran the duo attempted to rob was sentenced Monday to 25 years in prison, liable for his partner’s death by self-defense at the hands of the 70-year-old, would-be victim.

Perry Richardson, 25, of St. Louis, pleaded guilty in exchange for a prosecution agreement to drop a first-degree murder charge, filed as a result of the theory that Richardson was responsible for the shooting death of his companion, Billy Dean Dickerson.

It was Feb. 2, 2017, in Venice that Dickerson and Richardson pulled up to a car driven by the veteran, who was taking a female friend home, and attempted the robbery. The driver of the victim car, however, pulled a gun and fired at the duo, killing Dickerson and injuring Richardson.

Richardson was sentenced to 12-and-a-half years each for the attempted robbery of the driver and the passenger before Monday’s hearing.

The intended robbery victim was carrying a legally-concealed weapon.

“If you come here to commit your crimes, do not be surprised if you end up on the wrong side of a concealed weapon of a law-abiding citizen,” State’s Attorney Tom Gibbons said at the time Richardson was charged. Authorities said the two robbers were suspected of several other similar crime in the months preceding.

Richardson was originally charged with first degree murder. He was accused of felony murder, which, by law, holds people who participate in a forcible felony legally accountable for a death that happens during commission of the crime. The charge formally accused Richardson of shooting Dickerson.

Richardson has been held in the Madison County Jail without bond. He has a record dating to 2011 when he was convicted of four counts of domestic assault, endangering the welfare of a child and misdemeanor property damage. He also has a conviction for burglary and violation of probation.