NY inmate-artist freed after being cleared of 1991 slaying

BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — A New York prison artist who never played golf but became known for drawings of lush courses he could only imagine has been set free after authorities agreed he didn’t commit the murder that put him behind bars for nearly three decades.

An Erie County Court judge granted a prosecutor’s request that murder, attempted murder and assault charges in Valentino Dixon’s case be set aside Wednesday. The ruling came an hour after another man pleaded guilty in the 1991 shooting death of Torriano Jackson in Buffalo.

Dixon later walked out of the courthouse and was hugged by jubilant relatives.

While in prison, Dixon rekindled his childhood talent for drawing, creating colored pencil landscapes, including of golf courses he’s seen only in pictures.

He says his plans include cooking for his 90-year old grandmother.