Marcus Dixon
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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| Dallas Cowboys — No. 95 | |
| Defensive end | |
| Date of birth: September 16, 1984 | |
| Place of birth: Rome, Georgia | |
| Height: 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | Weight: 295 lb (134 kg) |
| National Football League debut | |
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| No regular season or postseason appearances | |
| Career history | |
| College: Hampton | |
| Undrafted in 2008 | |
Teams:
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| Career highlights and awards | |
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Marcus Dwayne Dixon (born September 16, 1984 in Rome, Georgia) is an American football defensive end for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League.
He is also known for being prosecuted in a high-profile court case when, as a high school student, he was convicted in May 2003 for the rape of Kristie Brown, an underage girl. These charges were later overturned and dropped to statutory rape.[1][2]
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[edit] Dixon Vs Brown Case
Kristie Brown alleged that on February 10, 2003 Dixon forced her to have sex, taking her virginity. She has stated that contrary to Dixon's supporters' belief she was never Dixon's girlfriend and although they shared classes, they barely knew each other. The jury acquitted Dixon of rape, battery, assault and false imprisonment but because Brown was only 15 3/4 at the time of the incident found him guilty of statutory rape and aggravated child molestation. Because of this Dixon was convicted at the mandatory amount under Georgia law, 10 years imprisonment.[3] Ironically if he would have been found guilty he would have faced a much less severe punishment.[4]
Many saw the case as racially motivated, especially when it was alleged by Dixon's partisans that Brown had claimed her father "would kill them both" if he found out because he was a racist. The President of the Children's Defense Fund, Marian Wright Edelman called it a "Legal Lynching". Also, the location of the incident, Georgia, spurred on the thoughts of racist bigotry.[4]
[edit] Other alleged events
During the court case the prosecution brought up Dixon's past record, stating that he had been suspended twice from his school for 'sexual activity'. Although neither of these events were reported to the authorities the jury were told that the events were Dixon exposing himself in a classroom and inappropriately touching a 14 year old girl.[5]
[edit] Overturned conviction and release
Georgia Supreme Court overturned Dixon's conviction and he was released May 3, 2004. They let his conviction of misdemeanor statutory rape stand.[6] After Dixon's release both he and Brown appeared on Oprah in an attempt to clarify their stories.[3]
[edit] Football career
Dixon was a grade A student at Pepperell High School and excelled on the football field to the point where he had been offered a full scholarship at Vanderbilt University, but due to his court case and conviction he was unable to take on this opportunity. Upon his release from prison Dixon enrolled at Hampton University in Virginia with a football scholarship.[7]
On April 27, 2008, Marcus signed a three-year, $1.1 million deal with the Dallas Cowboys as an undrafted free agent.
[edit] References
- ^ "Teen's sentence a shock to jurors", Atlanta Journal-Constitution, June 2, 2003. Retrieved on 2007-08-21. "When Marcus Dixon was sentenced to prison for aggravated child molestation and statutory rape, several members of the Floyd County jury were stunned that the former football star received a 15-year term, including 10 years without hope of parole. Dixon, an 18-year-old honor student with a full football scholarship to Vanderbilt University, had been accused of having forced sex with a 15-year-old girl in a Pepperell High School classroom trailer in February. He contended the sex was ..."
- ^ "Deep south divided by rape case", The Guardian, Friday, January 23, 2004. Retrieved on 2007-08-21. "The case of a black high school student sentenced to 10 years in prison for having sex with a white 15-year-old classmate in Georgia is igniting long-standing racial tensions in the deep south. As protesters gathered outside Georgia supreme court on Wednesday, holding candles and singing We Shall Overcome, Marcus Dixon's lawyers were arguing to appeal judges that his punishment was unusually harsh."
- ^ a b In Prison for Having Teenage Sex
- ^ a b People's Weekly World - Act now to free Marcus Dixon
- ^ "Marcus Dixon", Snopes. Retrieved on 2007-08-21. "Marcus Dixon, an African-American teenager, was sentenced to ten years in prison for having had sex with a white teenaged girl."
- ^ http://www.11alive.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=46395
- ^ High School Football Star Marcus Dixon Receives Scholarship to Attend Hampton
[edit] Further reading
- Arey, Norman. "Teenager's Appeal to High Court to Attack Sentencing Guidelines." Atlanta Journal-Constitution. 20 January 2004 (p. B1).
- Arey, Norman. "Ex-Star Athlete Guilty in Sex Case." Atlanta Journal-Constitution. 16 May 2003 (p. C4).
- Dadigan, Marc. "Dixon Suit Settled for $130,000." Rome News-Tribune. 14 June 2005.
- Edelman, Marian Wright. "Old South Lingers in a Legal Lynching." Los Angeles Times. 22 January 2004 (p. B17).
- Gregory, Lauren. "Accuser Gets Settlement from System." Rome News-Tribune. 11 June 2005.
- Gregory, Lauren. "Marcus Dixon Movie Possible." Rome News-Tribune. 11 June 2005.
- Jacobs, Andrew. "Student Sex Case in Georgia Stirs Claims of Old South Justice." New York Times. 22 January 2004
- Milloy, Courtland. "Marcus Dixon Doesn't Belong In Ga. Prison." Washington Post. 25 January 2004 (p. C1).
- Wooten, Jim. "Home Life, Not Racism, the Problem." Atlanta Journal-Constitution. 27 January 2004 (p. A9).
- Associated Press. "Floyd County Schools Ask Federal Court to Throw Out Lawsuit in School Statutory Rape Case." 12 September 2003.
- Associated Press. "Georgia High Court Overturns Teen's Sentence for Having Sex with Minor." CNN.com 3 May 2004.
