Dustin Paxton fits dangerous offender criteria, Crown argues

Final arguments got underway in a Calgary courtroom today in the dangerous offender hearing for Dustin Paxton.

Paxton was convicted last year of aggravated and sexual assault against his former business partner and roommate.

He was charged after a beaten and emaciated man was dropped off at a Regina hospital in 2010.

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Crown lawyers argued that Paxton meets all three criteria for the dangerous offender designation: the crime currently before court is of a brutal nature, he has patterns of repetitive criminal behaviour and persistent behaviours.

Crown prosecutor Julie Morgan said evidence from psychiatrists and psychologists who have examined Paxton shows he has anti-social personality disorder with narcissistic and psychopathic traits, making him a high risk to reoffend.

"This offender cannot be trusted at all,” Morgan told Court of Queen’s Bench Justice Sheilah Martin.

"He manipulates, belittles and controls his victims.”

A dangerous offender designation can come with an indeterminate sentence or a finite one.

If Martin does not label Paxton a dangerous offender, the Crown will seek a 15- to 18-year sentence plus 10 years of community supervision.

Defence lawyer Jim Lutz told the court Paxton does not fit the criteria for dangerous offender status and his client should receive an eight-year sentence.

Lutz said there is no evidence to suggest that Paxton cannot be treated.

Paxton's victim will be in court on Wednesday to give an impact statement.

The hearing is scheduled to last two days.