Killer of WWII Veteran Likely to Die In Prison: Prosecutor

SILVER SPRING, MD — A Silver Spring man convicted of killing a 95-year-old World War II veteran and neighbor in a retirement home will likely die in prison. A Montgomery County judge on Thursday sentenced Eric S. Dyson, 62, of 531 Randolph Road, to 47 years and six months in prison in the death of Dan Belvin, 95, a retired Naval officer.

Dyson and Belvin lived in the same senior community, Randolph Village Senior Living. Dyson was staying in his father's apartment and because friends with Belvin, who would let the younger man borrow his car. Prosecutors say Dyson became enraged when Belvin asked for his car keys back, and stabbed the elderly man more than 50 times.

Dyson was convicted of second-degree murder and four theft charges, according to court records. Detectives say Dyson was caught on store surveillance cameras using Belvin’s credit cards to charge a total of $5,500 in merchandise.

Belvin was found dead Feb. 23, 2015, with trauma to the upper body, police say. The homicide was discovered after a concerned friend had not heard from Belvin. The building property manager checked the apartment, found Belvin’s body, and called 9-1-1.

“Any murder is bad, but the murder of someone who served our country and is advanced in age, certainly tugs at the heart strings,” Ramon Korionoff, public affairs director with the Montgomery County States Attorney’s office, told WTOP earlier.

Dyson took Belvin's credit and debit cards to get money for drugs, specifically crack cocaine, authorities said.

“He’s basically lived his life as a petty thief in this community for the last 50 years,” State’s Attorney John McCarthy said of Dyson. “And he will hopefully die in jail for this crime.”

Dyson must serve at least half of his 47-year prison term before he is eligible for parole.
»PHOTO of Eric S. Dyson, courtesy of Montgomery Community Media