Sullivan pleads guilty to capital murder

Paxton Sullivan, 31, of Breckenridge, pleaded guilty to the charge of capital murder of multiple people Wednesday, Nov. 3. Paxton was charged in the December 2018 murder of his parents, Mitchel and Terry Sullivan, and received a sentence of life without parole and waived his right to appeal.

Paxton attended the sentencing via Zoom from the Stephens County Jail, with 90th Judicial District Judge Stephen Bristow presiding over the hearing. Paxton was represented by Susan Anderson and Mark Hendrickson of the Regional Public Defender's Office.

According to the complaint filed Dec. 15, 2018, the Breckenridge Police Department received a call at approximately 3:56 p.m. Dec. 14, 2018 in reference to a dead body inside 600 North Front Street in Breckenridge. The call was made by Mark Dempsey, Terry’s brother in law, who had shown up at the Sullivan residence when Terry did not show up for work and when Mitchel was not answering his cell phone.

Dempsey stated that when he arrived at the residence, Paxton, one of the Sullivan's sons, was getting into his vehicle to leave. Before departing, Paxton told Dempsey his mother was not feeling well and his father was taking a nap.

After entering the residence, Dempsey proceeded to the master bedroom where he saw a pale colored foot near the edge of the bed, which he believed to be Terry’s. As Dempsey was leaving the residence to call BPD, he noticed a baseball bat near the front door which appeared to be covered in blood.

When police arrived, they discovered the bodies of two subjects in the master bedroom. Medics determined both subjects were deceased, and identified the victims as Mitchel and Terry. According to the complaint, the wounds to the victims’ heads were caused by blunt force trauma consistent with a baseball bat.

BPD and the Stephens County Sheriff’s Office were then notified to locate Paxton. Stephens County Chief Deputy Kevin Roach located Paxton’s vehicle west of 14424 Hwy. 183 North, a location known as ‘The Boar’s Den’. Upon arrival, Paxton exited the building and laid on the ground in a prone position with his arms straight out to the side. Paxton was then placed into custody.

When Paxton was asked what had happened at his parent’s residence, he stated “He’s hiding, there is a demon inside me, you seen what he did.”

According to the complaint, BPD had responded to multiple complaints of family violence, where the victims stated they were scared Paxton would kill them.

The Texas Rangers began assisting BPD and SCSO shortly afterward. Paxton was indicted by a Stephens County Grand Jury Feb. 7, 2019 and charged with capital murder of multiple persons. In March 2019, Bristow granted a request for an extension to allow Paxton’s attorneys more time to prepare and his arraignment was postponed.

Both Mitchel and Terry held key positions and honors within the community of Breckenridge and Stephens County throughout their lives and careers. Mitchel had worked for Stephens County up until his retirement and won Agricultural Citizen of the Year in 2010. Terry was also involved with Stephens County, serving as the Chief Appraiser of the Stephens County Tax Appraisal District. She was also a member of the Lions Club and was an active volunteer within the community.

"(We) hope that this resolution can offer some closure and healing to the family and others touched by this tragedy," a press release from the 90th Judicial District Attorney's office stated.