Pubdate: Tue, 09 Apr 2002 Source: New York Post (NY) Copyright: 2002 N.Y.P. Holdings, Inc. Contact: http://www.nypost.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/296 Author: Kati Cornell Smith DRUG THUG MAY GO ON TRIAL FOR HIS LIFE: FEDS An alleged drug-ring kingpin could face the death penalty if convicted of gunning down a potential witness who was set to testify against a cohort, a federal judge revealed yesterday If Emile Dixon goes to trial, it would be the third time in 10 years the feds in the Eastern District seek capital punishment, prosecutors said. Despite the seriousness of his situation, Dixon, who is in his 30s, appeared unfazed in Brooklyn federal court yesterday - waving to his girlfriend and toddler son, Chadeele, as defense lawyers discussed his case with Judge Raymond Dearie and Assistant U.S. Attorney Pamela Chen. "There is probably some denial going on," his lawyer, Ephraim Savitt, said outside of court. Dixon, a leader of the "Patio Crew," allegedly fired a machine gun into a car on Linden Boulevard on July 26, 2000, killing Robert Thomas and wounding Thomas' brother. Defense lawyers said Thomas also was a member of the Patio Crew, which allegedly deals in crack and cocaine. Prosecutors say Thomas was the target of an earlier murder attempt by another ringleader, Humphrey "Fat Head" Stewart, and was poised to testify against him. Stewart and Dixon - a father of three - both pleaded not guilty yesterday. - --- MAP posted-by: Beth