In a tragic case of mistaken identity, four teenagers have been sentenced to life imprisonment for the murders of Max Dixon, 16, and Mason Rist, 15, in Bristol. The attack, which occurred on January 27, 2024, involved the use of weapons including machetes, a bat, and a sword.
The convicted individuals include:
- Riley Tolliver, 18: Sentenced to life with a minimum term of 23 years and 47 days.
- Kodishai Wescott, 17: Named publicly during sentencing, received a life sentence with a minimum term of 23 years and 44 days.
- A 16-year-old male: Cannot be named for legal reasons; sentenced to life with a minimum term of 18 years and 44 days.
- A 15-year-old male: Also unnamed due to legal restrictions; handed a life sentence with a minimum term of 15 years and 229 days.
The court heard that the group mistakenly believed Max and Mason were responsible for an earlier attack involving bricks in the Hartcliffe area. In reality, the victims were innocent, simply out to get pizza. The brutal assault, lasting only 33 seconds, was captured on CCTV near Mason’s home.
During sentencing, Mrs. Justice May addressed the young defendants, stating: “The boys you killed were Mason Rist and Max Dixon. They were your age. They had done nothing wrong.” She emphasized the profound impact on the victims’ families, noting that their lives “must go on without them in a different way.”
In a poignant moment, Mason’s sister, Chloe Rist, brought his ashes into the courtroom, confronting the perpetrators with the tangible loss they caused. Holding his ashes, she declared: “This is Mason’s ashes and this is what you’ve done… This is all I have left of him.”
The getaway driver, Antony Snook, 45, was previously sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 38 years. Additionally, Jamie Ogbourne, 27, and Bailey Wescott, 23, were each sentenced to five years and three months for assisting the offenders after the murders.
This case has cast a spotlight on the devastating consequences of youth violence and the critical importance of addressing such issues within communities. The families of Max and Mason continue to mourn their irreplaceable loss, seeking solace in the justice served.
