Prosecuting Attorney Lucian Young III (The Beacon Journal)

On July 12, 1993, Thomas Dillon entered his pleas before Judge John Nau in Noble County Common Pleas Court.  He showed no emotion as he answered, “Guilty,” to each charge.  Under the plea agreement, Nau sentenced Dillon to life in prison with no chance of parole for 165 years, the maximum sentence.  Paxton’s mother, Jean, said she was relieved the case was over.  “Today is the beginning of the end for Thomas Dillon,” she said.  Nonetheless, she was upset that Dillon showed no remorse.  “We were given a life sentence the day he decided to kill our son,” she said.  “I think he’s a pathetic coward.  He’s taken the coward’s way out of everything.” 

Noble County Prosecutor Lucien Young III said the plea agreement was the “most practical solution,” even though he preferred a sentence of death.  “I kind of felt like he ought to die,” he said.  Dillon’s lawyer, Roger Synenberg, countered claims that Dillon felt no remorse.  “He has some regrets about this, but he’s also got to put it all behind him,” he said.

Roger Synenberg (left) and Dillon (right) in court (The Beacon Journal)

At seven o'clock the next night after the sentencing, the Paxtons' telephone rang.  It was Thomas Dillon.   He told Jean Paxton that her "pathetic coward" comment had hurt him. "That's what you are, Thomas," she replied.  "And if you start with your cocky attitude, I will hang up.  I've heard enough of that for the past several months.  I'm not interested in what you have to say.  But there are things I want you to know.  Thomas, have you ever heard the expression 'Tears are the safety valve of the heart'?"  He had not, so she talked about repentance and prayer.  "Quit your profanity, stop the loopy simpering in front of the cameras and pick up the Bible before it's too late,” she said Paxton continued speaking to him for an hour, finally concluding, "We have spoken long enough. I can't hate you, but I can never forgive you for what you've done to our lives."

In July 1993, Dillon admitted to setting 160 fires and committing other acts of vandalism in Eastern Ohio during the preceding five years.  Noble County Sheriff Landon Smith estimated that Dillon’s fires caused more than $2 million in damages.  The fires were set in Coshocton, Belmont, Guernsey, Carroll, Columbiana and Tuscarawas counties. 

A house in Tuscarawas before

Dillon pleaded with authorities not to be sent to Ohio's toughest facility, the maximum-security prison in Lucasville in November 1993.  “If I go to Lucasville, I’m a dead man,” Dillon said.  When news of this comment reached Jean Paxton, she collected 8,000 names on a petition. Dillon was sent to Lucasville.