BUFFALO, N.Y. — A man who spent 27 years in prison for a crime he didn't commit is now walking free.

A judge accepted a motion Wednesday to exonerate Valentino Dixon.

Dixon was convicted of murder and sentenced to serve up to life in prison for the death of Torriano Jackson. The 17-year-old was shot and killed at Bailey and East Delavan avenues back in 1991; four others were also hurt.

Dixon was exonerated after Lamarr Scott pleaded guilty to manslaughter and assault charges. Scott confessed to investigators after the shooting, but they didn't believe him, instead thinking Dixon's family forced him to confess.

Scott is currently serving time for an unrelated attempted murder charge. 

Much of Dixon's time behind bars was spent sketching lush greens and open fairways, though he never set foot on a golf course. He's received national recognition for his work, including a series of profiles in Golf Digest.