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In 2012, Golf Digest published a first-person essay by Valentino Dixon (co-authored with Max Adler, editorial director of the magazine). Dixon had never played golf, nor even set foot on a golf course; he was detained at the Attica Correctional Center in New York. He was serving 39 years for a murder committed in 1991.
The magazine told the story because Dixon drew golf courses. "Something about the grass and the sky was rejuvenating," he wrote while drawing his very first golf hole in the test. But in addition to his art, Dixon had another interesting story to tell: he was innocent of murder. Someone else did it.
Everyone in the prisons says that, of course, but Golf Digest investigated and found witnesses, and published Adler's story about Dixon's innocence next to the first-person test. This led to a wave of coverage of other media. The Georgetown University Prisons and Justice Initiative is engaged. A movement to liberate him began.
Today, Dixon's conviction has been overturned. He was released from prison after another man, Lamarr Scott, confessed to the crime. Golf Digest took a man out of prison!
Adler has a story today about the Golf Digest Web site on Dixon, calling the case "a pretty clear case of local officials rushing hastily to a young black man with a criminal record in jail." He also receives an excellent quote from Donald Thompson, Dixon free from prison:
"Once the case has crossed a certain threshold of media attention, it is important, even if it is not," says Thompson. "It is embarrassing for the legal system that the best presentation of the investigation has been made for a long time by a golf magazine."
And now, Dixon is free. Thanks to Golf Digest! Someone gets this man a set of golf clubs.
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