A Plea for Justice We the Undersigned, Oppose the Wrongful Conviction of Marcus Dixon
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We the undersigned, oppose the wrongful conviction and sentencing of Marcus Dixon.
There is an 18 year old African American honor student -- Marcus Dixon -- in Rome, Georgia who is spending ten years in prison for having consensual sex with a white classmate who was just three months shy of 16 yrs old at the time they had sex. Although a jury acquitted Marcus of rape and three other counts of violent acts, the prosecutor also charged him with "aggravated child molestation." Consensual sex with a virgin fits into the technical reading of this Georgia statute. The statute has never been applied to consensual sex between two teenagers with less than three years age difference, until now. I believe the result is a horrible injustice, especially because Marcus overcame a troubled childhood to excel in academics and athletics. What follows are the general details.
In February 2003, Marcus Dixon, was a senior in high school. Marcus is not your typical senior. He had a 3.96 grade point average, a 1200 on his SATs, and was all state in football. He was offered scholarships to every major school in the South but chose Vanderbilt University because he felt they were the best academically. In essence, this alone, made Marcus a star. Think about it, how many all-State football players carry a 3.96 grade point average? How many high school kids at all have a 3.96 and a 1200 on their SATs? Statistically speaking, not many. This alone set Marcus apart from the other seniors in his class.
Marcus was born in Rome, Georgia a rural town about 70 miles outside of Atlanta that still carries much of the prejudices and complications of the deep South. Marcus' biological mother is a drug addicted career criminal who has been in and out of prison since Marcus was a baby. His biological father never had anything to do with him. Most kids born into this situation have little or no chance of succeeding. Yet Marcus defied the odds. When Marcus was ten years old, a local white family became his legal guardians. Why is this relevant? In a town where many still believe that blacks and whites should not mix, this family took Marcus in and raised him as their own.
Again, most children born into Marcus' situation barely survive. Marcus is the exception. Beyond all the odds and probabilities he is a star. So what happened? How did this star come crashing down?
It started in February 2003. Marcus had sex with a girl just shy of sixteen. She was a virgin. She is also white. Two days later, she accused Marcus of rape. Some speculate she made the accusation because she was afraid of her admittedly racist father. Regardless of the reasons, a jury of nine white jurors and three African Americans took only 15-20 minutes to determine, after hearing all the evidence, that Marcus did nothing wrong. The jury decided that the incident was no more than two teenagers having consensual sex. Based on the girl's own testimony, it is amazing they ever brought charges against Marcus. And yet, in the rural town of Rome, Georgia, where there is still some KKK rumblings, 9 white and 3 African American jurors found her story to have absolutely no basis in fact. So why is Marcus in prison? How is it possible that a high school boy who had consensual sex with a classmate is in prison for ten years?
Marcus was indicted under six different statutes under Georgia law. Four of the statutes include use of force. He was acquitted on all charges that included force. The jury was very specific. It was not even close. It is not that they had reasonable doubt...they had no doubt - the sex was consensual. The girl was not there against her will.
The prosecutor, in what can only be perceived as an act of complete disregard for the law, facts and justice in general, included a charge of "aggravated child molestation". Under Georgia law, if anyone (age of the perpetrator is irrelevant - he could be 15) has sex with a minor (under 16) that results in an "any injury", he is guilty of "child molestation". The jury deliberated for hours on this charge. In the end, technically, this situation fell under the purview of the statute as written. Marcus, admittedly had sex with the girl, she was under 16 (by three months), and, again admittedly, she was a virgin. It was the fact that she was a virgin that resulted in the Guilty verdict. You see, she sustained an "injury" as a result of intercourse. Technically, he is guilty.
The absurdity of charging a high school boy with child molestation for consensual sex with a high school girl is beyond description. In essence, every girl in Georgia that loses her virginity before 16 can charge the boy with aggravated child molestation. By definition, he is guilty, even if he is younger than the girl. Taken to further extremes, if a teenager gives another teen a hickey (technically an "injury"), he or she is guilty of aggravated child molestation the way this statute was drafted. Clearly, this was not the legislative intent. In fact, no high school boy or girl has EVER been charged with child molestation of a classmate less than three years his or her junior, until Marcus. Never. In the history of Georgia, Marcus is the only one in prison for consensual sex with a girl less than three years younger.
While the jury found him guilty, they had no idea of the consequences. They assumed Marcus would be released immediately. In the jurors own words, the look of horror across their faces when the judge sentenced Marcus to ten years minimum could be seen by everyone. They never knew the consequences. They could not fathom that a boy could go to jail for consensual sex, and certainly not for 10 years with no possibility of parole. And yet he has.
Why the prosecutor charged him under a statute that was clearly designed to apply to adult sexual predators of minors is beyond understanding. How the judge could allow the charge to stand is unconscionable. What their motives or rationalizations, one can only speculate. This is the kind of injustice that we Americans like to think is reserved for third world countries.
Please take a stand with us and help fight this injustice. This is an opinion petition and as such can be signed by any person of any age living in any state or country. If you agree, please sign this petition and forward it to as many others as you know.
There is an 18 year old African American honor student -- Marcus Dixon -- in Rome, Georgia who is spending ten years in prison for having consensual sex with a white classmate who was just three months shy of 16 yrs old at the time they had sex. Although a jury acquitted Marcus of rape and three other counts of violent acts, the prosecutor also charged him with "aggravated child molestation." Consensual sex with a virgin fits into the technical reading of this Georgia statute. The statute has never been applied to consensual sex between two teenagers with less than three years age difference, until now. I believe the result is a horrible injustice, especially because Marcus overcame a troubled childhood to excel in academics and athletics. What follows are the general details.
In February 2003, Marcus Dixon, was a senior in high school. Marcus is not your typical senior. He had a 3.96 grade point average, a 1200 on his SATs, and was all state in football. He was offered scholarships to every major school in the South but chose Vanderbilt University because he felt they were the best academically. In essence, this alone, made Marcus a star. Think about it, how many all-State football players carry a 3.96 grade point average? How many high school kids at all have a 3.96 and a 1200 on their SATs? Statistically speaking, not many. This alone set Marcus apart from the other seniors in his class.
Marcus was born in Rome, Georgia a rural town about 70 miles outside of Atlanta that still carries much of the prejudices and complications of the deep South. Marcus' biological mother is a drug addicted career criminal who has been in and out of prison since Marcus was a baby. His biological father never had anything to do with him. Most kids born into this situation have little or no chance of succeeding. Yet Marcus defied the odds. When Marcus was ten years old, a local white family became his legal guardians. Why is this relevant? In a town where many still believe that blacks and whites should not mix, this family took Marcus in and raised him as their own.
Again, most children born into Marcus' situation barely survive. Marcus is the exception. Beyond all the odds and probabilities he is a star. So what happened? How did this star come crashing down?
It started in February 2003. Marcus had sex with a girl just shy of sixteen. She was a virgin. She is also white. Two days later, she accused Marcus of rape. Some speculate she made the accusation because she was afraid of her admittedly racist father. Regardless of the reasons, a jury of nine white jurors and three African Americans took only 15-20 minutes to determine, after hearing all the evidence, that Marcus did nothing wrong. The jury decided that the incident was no more than two teenagers having consensual sex. Based on the girl's own testimony, it is amazing they ever brought charges against Marcus. And yet, in the rural town of Rome, Georgia, where there is still some KKK rumblings, 9 white and 3 African American jurors found her story to have absolutely no basis in fact. So why is Marcus in prison? How is it possible that a high school boy who had consensual sex with a classmate is in prison for ten years?
Marcus was indicted under six different statutes under Georgia law. Four of the statutes include use of force. He was acquitted on all charges that included force. The jury was very specific. It was not even close. It is not that they had reasonable doubt...they had no doubt - the sex was consensual. The girl was not there against her will.
The prosecutor, in what can only be perceived as an act of complete disregard for the law, facts and justice in general, included a charge of "aggravated child molestation". Under Georgia law, if anyone (age of the perpetrator is irrelevant - he could be 15) has sex with a minor (under 16) that results in an "any injury", he is guilty of "child molestation". The jury deliberated for hours on this charge. In the end, technically, this situation fell under the purview of the statute as written. Marcus, admittedly had sex with the girl, she was under 16 (by three months), and, again admittedly, she was a virgin. It was the fact that she was a virgin that resulted in the Guilty verdict. You see, she sustained an "injury" as a result of intercourse. Technically, he is guilty.
The absurdity of charging a high school boy with child molestation for consensual sex with a high school girl is beyond description. In essence, every girl in Georgia that loses her virginity before 16 can charge the boy with aggravated child molestation. By definition, he is guilty, even if he is younger than the girl. Taken to further extremes, if a teenager gives another teen a hickey (technically an "injury"), he or she is guilty of aggravated child molestation the way this statute was drafted. Clearly, this was not the legislative intent. In fact, no high school boy or girl has EVER been charged with child molestation of a classmate less than three years his or her junior, until Marcus. Never. In the history of Georgia, Marcus is the only one in prison for consensual sex with a girl less than three years younger.
While the jury found him guilty, they had no idea of the consequences. They assumed Marcus would be released immediately. In the jurors own words, the look of horror across their faces when the judge sentenced Marcus to ten years minimum could be seen by everyone. They never knew the consequences. They could not fathom that a boy could go to jail for consensual sex, and certainly not for 10 years with no possibility of parole. And yet he has.
Why the prosecutor charged him under a statute that was clearly designed to apply to adult sexual predators of minors is beyond understanding. How the judge could allow the charge to stand is unconscionable. What their motives or rationalizations, one can only speculate. This is the kind of injustice that we Americans like to think is reserved for third world countries.
Please take a stand with us and help fight this injustice. This is an opinion petition and as such can be signed by any person of any age living in any state or country. If you agree, please sign this petition and forward it to as many others as you know.
167724 Signatures
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Tara S
- Comments
- Thanks for sending me this DJ!
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Glenda L
- Comments
- Seems to me the prosecutor is a racist, which is typical for Georgia!!!
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Malcolm D
- Comments
- This is a complete and utter outrage, there is no reason for this injustice to occur, period.
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Janetta J
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- If he were white male who had consensual sex with a black girl who was underage and a virgin would he have gotten the same sentence?
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Gregory
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- God see all
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Bern D
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Tara B
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Les M
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- If Marcus was white and the girl was Black or Latina, this never would have went to trial. this is onesided abuse of law writen and executed by old racists in power
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LISA S
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Latashia
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John T
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Cristan E
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- I pray that you all will keep fighting and that this conviction will be overturned.
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ADESANYA A
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- ACCEPTED
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brittani c
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- thats was horrible of course she got bruises she lost her virginity it was normal
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K.Nobles
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- God Bless You Marcus. Forgive the racists, ignorant, rednecks here in Georgia
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Lisa R. J
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Kristina S
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MANIKA H
- Comments
- This is a miscarriage of justice...manipulation of old laws for the purpose of incarcerating yet another young black man.
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S. S
- Comments
- I think this is an absolute shame. Marcus, you and your family are in my prayers. Be strong young man, be strong. The Lord will be with you and guide you to victory!!
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Ms. Victoria Mary Stong/A white woman who's a Humanitarian & Civil Rights & Community Activist-Well S
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- I saw this story on A.B.C. TV.& I was so horrified that this poor young man is forced to go through this awful ordeal & nightmare.He is a fine, upstanding young man that got mixed up with a (coward)girl who happens to have a very racist/prejudiced father&a mother who isn't much better.MARCUS DIXON IS INNOCENT & all involved in intentionally hurting him are blessed I'm not in the state of this major injustice! I would be protesting my heart out loudly supporting Marcus Dixon in front of their offices & homes until Marcus Dixon got his justice as he deserves. Marcus Dixon is a wonderful guy who just got caught up with a girl who's surrounded by racists &/or K.K.K. who are forceful members of the Community. Nobody likes a racist except a racist. This is exactly why we need to convict all K.K.K. members & throw away the key. They only promote the destruction of good citizens. Marcus Dixon has all my support &THE ACCUSER(GIRL) NEEDS TO IMMEDIATELY STAND UP AGAINST HER RACIST PARENTS & HAVE MARCUS EXONERATED!
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Codedra
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- Set Him Free
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Jessica
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- I think its wrong and they are not giving him a fair chance if you ask me Im a white female and i think they are using the race card against him and i think it is wrong and should not have any Charges against him , I dont think he did anything wrong
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Stephen
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- I suppport the Dixon family anyway I can. 10 years is way too harsh. its a shame to how our government coldy takes time of a human being. that boy has too good of a bright future to see our government destroy it
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Fawn L
- Comments
- Freedom should be granted
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Stacy A
- Comments
- I have heard of this story and am outraged by his wrongful imprisonment!
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April O
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Leslie U
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TYIKALIA P
- Comments
- SIMILAR ACCUSATIONS WERE FILED ON MY BEST FRIND IN THIS SHE WAS A BLACK FEMALE AND THE MALE WAS WHITE I WOULD STAND BY MARCUS SIDE 100\%
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TYIKALIA P
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- SIMILAR ACCUSATIONS WERE FILED ON MY BEST FRIND IN THIS SHE WAS A BLACK FEMALE AND THE MALE WAS WHITE I WOULD STAND BY MARCUS SIDE 100\%
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Antonia B
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gregory s
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- typicall old southern rules
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Patricia C
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- This is why we must pray w/o ceasing this is not a natural fight but a spiritual fight. I thank u Lord that this man is not destroyed mentally or physically but it is all for the making of him. For we wrestle not with flesh and blood but spiritual wickedness in high places.
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SHEILA G
- Comments
- SET HIM FREE
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CHRISTY G
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JaLissa B
- Comments
- What A Shame! Let's Just Say...(Karma) -- it will come back around!
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Deborah S
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IRMA E
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- I HATE GOING THERE, BUT COULD IT BE THAT THE JUDGE IS A RACIST? OUTSIDE OF THIS PETITION, WHAT ELSE CAN BE DONE TO FREE THIS YOUNGMAN?
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McClutcher, D
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- I can't believe that we're talking adults and a real court..... This law was not intended for youth -to- youth cases GA shouldn't even hear such nonsence at the expense of tax payers..... Please let America stand strong and smart....
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Day, A
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- Is there any justus ......Let Marcus go
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Christine C
- Comments
- I would just like to say it's no wonder people all over the United States still see the South as ignorant. The prosecuter, judge and the senator who put this boy behind bars should all take a look at themselves, very closely. How in the hell can they sleep at night. We have true criminals out here, Child molesters raping and killing our children that are set free every day, knowing they will commit again. This is a stupid backward law in a backward state. I live in Alabama and even though alot of things are behind the times in this state, I don't think anything compares to this. He was just a boy and the tape proves she was willing. If the father has a problem with the black , white thing, then that's something he needs to talk to his daughter about. This needs to be brought to a higher court outside the juridiction of such ignorant people and free that boy from what he is enduring and let him persue his sports career.
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Chana W
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- This charge is utterly rediculous.
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Loryn S
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- My thing is, this is a clearly racist situation. Granted something had to be done cuz she's a minor but they did not have to tack on all those other charges because she was supposedly a virgin. Marcus is an intelligent young man, ready to do something with his life and not become a product of his environment. Once again, another black man is held back by this hypocritical "justice" system!
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Kelly L
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Laura D
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Patricia C
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Tessa S
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Joseph S
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KEITHEON C
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- THE CHARGES MAY HAVE BEEN OF A SEXUAL NATURE BUT THE CRIME IS THAT THE GEORGIA COURT SYSTEM HAS CHOSEN TO ROB A YOUNG MAN OF HIS FUTURE. I ABHORE THE FACT THAT A JURY OF YOUR PEERS SEE YOU AS INNOCENT BUT YOU STILL GET THE BOOK THROWN AT YOU. WHERE IS THE JUSTICE IN THAT? I ASK THAT THIS CASE BE RETROACTED UPON IN ORDER TO SAVE SOME TYPE OF FACE IN THE EYES OF PUBLIC. WHO CAN TRUST A COURT SYSTEM THAT DOES WHATEVER IT WANTS!!!!!
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Socrates C
- Comments
- IF there is a problem, email me or call me at 347-834-9228. I will handle this
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David W
- Comments
- I THINK THIS IS A TRAVESTY OF INJUSTICE INDEED!! THE FELLOW SHOULD HAVE BEEN MADE TO TAKE REEDUCATION CLASSES. WHAT THE HOOT IS WRONG WITH YOU PEOPLE WHO SEE NOTHING WRONG WITH OUR GOOD YOUTH LAYING DOWN WITH THESE WHITE HO'S? GIVE ME ONE GOOD REASON WHY THE BLOOD OF OUR GREAT RACE SHOULD BE DEFILED WITH THE BLOOD POISON OF LESSER BEINGS. BLACKS SHOULD DISASSOCIATE FROM WHITES AT ALL LEVELS UNTIL THE DAY OF THE SWORD AND WE CAN TAKE BACK ALL THAT IS OURS WHICH THE WHITE DEVILS STOLED FROM US. YES, EVERYTHING THEY INVENT CAME FROM THE MIND OF OUR PEOPLE -- LANGUAGE, ART, CUSTOM, TECHNOLOGY, AND ALL YOU SEE. LOOK AROUND YOU PEOPLE-- LOOK INTO THE CORE, INSIDE THE FABRIC AND YOU CAN SEE NOT THE AUTHORSHIP OF THE WHITE BEAST BUT THE SIGNATURE OF OUR GREAT RACE OF FOLK. dON'T LET THE WHITEY TRICK YOU FOR ONE SECOND IN GIVING IN TO THEM AND GIVING UP ONE OUNCE OF YOUR PRECIOUS BLOOD, MY BROTHERS! THEY NEED OUR BLOOD TO PROSPER BECAUSE THEY ARE PARASITES. DON'T GIVE IT TO THEM , MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS!
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167724
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