In the item posted earlier this morning regarding the case against Chargers linebacker Shawne Merriman, we mentioned the Marvin Harrison situation in Philly as proof of the reality that, sometimes, prosecutors opt not to pursue charges out of fear that a conviction can’t be obtained, even if prosecutors subjectively believe that a person is guilty of a crime.

The mention of the Harrison case caused me to make a mental note to check on the status of the most recent twist — the July 2009 shooting of the man who claimed that Harrison shot him in April 2008.

Coincidentally, a reader has submitted a link to the newest development. The man who was shot seven times on July 21, Dwight Dixon, died on Friday.

Before slipping into a coma, Dixon reportedly told police that he believes Harrison was behind the shooting, apparently because Dixon had sued Harrison as a result of the April 2008 incident involving a gun owned by Harrison.

In late July, police served a search warrant at Harrison’s aptly-named Playmakers bar in Philly. The search was aimed at checking footage from surveillance cameras for images of the man who can be seen in separate surveillance video captured at the scene of the shooting.

Absent compelling evidence that either has not been uncovered or disclosed, it now appears that Harrison is in the clear as to both incidents.