Volume LVI, Number 14 Serving UNC- Wilmington since 1948 January 6, 2005 Dixon's death ends Faulkner trial Apparent suicide under investigation by SB! ~~~ 'j NEWS EorroR his entire high school career and we obfuined about the discrepancies achieved a 1070 on his SAT's. in Curtis Dixon's admissions appli- Former UNCW student Curtis Only after Faulkner's slaying did cation, I asked for a review of our Dixon died December 9, 2004 from authorities begin to discover the admissions procedures and decided injuries sustained by an attempted inaccuracies in these documents. to implement immediately an addi- suicide before standing trial for the After an investigation it become tional question designed to explain murder of former UNCW student any gaps in an applicant's academic Jessica Faulkner. The only consolation I history." DePaolo explains. Dixon apparently attempted can bring from this She adds, ''I also established two suicide at the Polk Youth Institute campus task forces to review educa­ where be broke away from guards catastrophe is to make tion and safety at UNCW. and jumped head-first, falling three UNCW better informed The campus task forces provide stories, from a staircase. about issues such as recommendations to help establish Dixon was in critical condition stalking, potentially dan­ accuracy and honesty on all appli­ before he was removed from life gerous relationships, and cants' admissions documents by support, and died shortly after. implementing information-checking Since Dixon's death, Chancellor campus safety. and information-sharing between DePaolo has released a statement -Chancellor DePaolo educational institutes. regarding the details of the Jessica "The only consolation I can bring Faulkner case that were previously apparent that not only had Dixon from this catastrophe is to make unavailable due to federal privacy not been home schooled for his UNCW better informed about issues laws. entire high school career but he also such as stalking, potentially danger­ DePaolo explains how Dixon attended the University of North ous relationships, and campus safety. was admitted to UNCW despite Carolina at Charlotte and had been Not even the best background checks inaccuracies in his application and convicted of a misdemeanor larceny can entirely and utterly eliminate the transcripts. - all of which were falsified on his risk of a potentially dangerous stu­ James Dixon, Curtis Dixon's admissions documents. dent being enrolled. But becoming a father and Executive Assistant to Chancellor DePaolo has model for campus safety is what we the Chancellor at UNC Charlotte, addressed the problem about inac­ must aim for, to bring good from the faxed Dixon's transcripts to Special curacies m admissions applications. tragedy of young lives cut so tragi­ Assistant to former Chancellor "As a result of the information cally short", said DePaolo. Leutze, Mark Lanier. Former UNCW student Curtis Dixon enters the courtroom in chains. All transcripts indicated that He attempted suicide on Dec. 7 rather than stand trial on the charge of Curtis had been home schooled for murder. He was taken off life support Dec. 9. April 2003 - James E. Fall 2003 January 2004 Spring 2004 Faulkner May4 Dixon contacts Faulkner Dixon Ill contacts UNCW Jessica Faulkner Dixon changes his talks about Dixon with Faulkner, Dixon and via instant message and to ask if his son can still and Curtis Dixon class schedule to her parents. She refers mutual friends have invites her back to his apply for admission. It will meet. They lived attend four of his five to him as "creepy" and a small going-away room, supposedly to give later be found that several on the same floor of classes with Faulkner. "a stalker." She tells party in Dixon's her a present. parts of the application, Cornerstone Hall. He also signs up for a thelfl that she would room. Everyone but including Curtis Dixon's university-sponsored rather handle the situa­ Dixon leaves the prior criminal record, were trip to Belize with tion by herself. room by 11 :OOPM. falsified. Faulkner. CONTACT US Editorial: 962-3229 Ads: 962-3789 www.theseahawk.org the Seahawk I NEWS l January 6, 2005 2 Myrtle Beach, - Students SC Dixon strikes Faulkner on the Welcome!! back of the head with a black­ Faulkner's body is found in jack. Faulkner is strangled, Dixon's Cornerstone Hall raped, and bound to Dixon's room. bed. Dixon sleeps in his ex­ roommate' bed. May 10 - Dixon is indicted. He i charged with first­ lay 5, 10:00A f Dixon degree murder, kidnapping, awake to find Faulkner dead. sexual assault and rape. Dixon joins friends for June 22 - A judge tells breakfast. He tells them that Dixon that, if convicted, he Faulkner could not Join them, will face the death penalt). as he was "still packing." December 7 - Dixon - Early afternoon - Dixon e capes from deputies at calls a friend and calls Polk Youth Institute and Faulkner'· father, confessing throw him elf dO'wn three to the crime. flight of starrs m an appar­ ent suicide attempt. He is Dixon is arrested at cnt to Duke Medical Center Cornerstone Hall. He meets in critical condition. authorit1e_ in front of the dor­ mitory, saymg, "I'm the one December 9 - Dixon 1s dlS­ you are looking for.'' connected from life support, Ht .,.,I . ending hi~ life. !i :I! •: :ii I• ... ,? 1ii ., ,•! '; '> ' l, Memorial •,..' ;,l ..~;1, ,, Ceremony id I~ • TRAFFIC VIOLATIONS A memoria·1 ceremon.· ,ill be • DWI/DRUCS/ALCOHOL held at the Shinn • MISDEMEANORS & FELONIES Plaza be ide the Honors Resident • AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENTS Hall for Scott • WRONCFUL DEATH Robert on and Victor Coll­ • MEDICAL MALPRACTICE lins. Benche at the plaza will THOMAS C. CiOOLSBY, BA, JD be dedicated to Trtal Attorney, Professor of law l Former COUnsel, HOrtn CMollna the memory of r.ovemors crtme COmmJsslon the tudents on January 11 at Do not allow a l~al problem TODAY to threaten vour potential• career TOMORROW! ,I ~ - ' - . 4:30P 1. The event is open to , ho ver wishes aa ~o~!!~A~ ~Ml~~~l!C~~~ o attend. 620 MARKET STREET, WILMINGTON• ADDITIONAL OFFICES IN RALEIGH PUT OUR 40+ YEARS EXPERIENCE TO WORK FOR YOU &~ahawk Seahawk "Excellence Through Truth and Dedication" since 1948 January 6, 2005 View oints Editor-in-Chief - Andrew Bader SEAHAWK STAFF OPINION Managing Editor - Liana Pesci Adl'ertising Director - Victoria Skillman Letters to the Editor. Ne11 ·s Editor - Kiara Jones The echoes Sports Editor - Matthew Blood Since when is torture A little recognition Lifestyles Editor - LinnieSarah Helpern a gray area? for Brett Blizzard, of student Chief Photographer - Nolan Dean Distrtb11tio11 Manager - Christine Huels It is time for the government to come out please Adnser - Kevin Knight firmly against torture. In the past the "rules Why hasn't Brett Blizzard's jersey been murders Swdent Melita Coordinator - Bill DiNome of war'' allowed victorious soldiers the right retired yet? Is the athletic department plan­ to enslave, rape, pillage, and plunder. Our ning a ceremony in his honor? It's a shame to A freshman is walking across UNCW government is against these war crimes but, be standing in the student section during our campus for the first time, a little lost and (ONTR1B[ITJNG STAFF for some reason. they consider torture a gray games and not see a number eleven hanging extremely nervous. Everywhere they look, A<sistanl News Edi/or: Barbara J. T" 1gg area. up in the rafters. Our school's all time leading they are met with the faces of people who A.f.<istant Lifesty~s Editor: Brad Holland If the U.S. government won't do the right scorer deserves a ceremony soon before all of they have never seen before. The circle of Assistant Photo Editor: Dan Hacker thmg and publicly condemn, and promise not the students here during his tenure have grad­ companions they had in high school is no Inside-Sales Manager: Rhonda Aldridge to participate in torture, then the American uated and he becomes just a stranger. Blizzard longer surrounding them, and they are faced Distribution: Jo,h Aron,on people should. Torture has always been and is a UNCW legend and the time preserve his with the challenge of making new friends. Copy Editor: Emily Setliff will always be ~TOng. Don't you agree ? legacy is now. This should be an exhilarating experience. one that students with remember for the rest of CONTACT INFORMATION Chuck Mann John Mark Davidson their lives. Instead, this impressionable fresh­ EDITOR: 910-962-3229 / editor(<>c the,eahav. k.org Greensboro, NC Junior man is met with warnings that crime exists on AD\I RT N\G: 910-962 -3 789 / uds<g; the,eahav. k.oll! their new campus and that the next face they ~rn,: 910-962 -7259 / news(a 1heseahawk.org ' Love: a temporary insanity see could be the face of a murderer. SPoRrs: CJI0-962-7 148 / spon,(a theseahav. k.org The murders of Jessica Faulkner and Ltn~n 1.1.,: 910-962-7 148 I ans@the,eaha\\k.org Christen Naujoks have left visible effects FA\! 'll0-CJ62-71ll I just don't think I'll fZVflr gflt OVflr you on the family and friends of the victims, but The Seahawk welcomes inquiries there is also a more subtle result that has SARAH DAWN HART and encourages letters to the editor. events of that night. been left on the student body as a whole. The STAFF WRITER One year and six months later, we found problem concerns trust and how currently it is LETTERS TO THE EDITOR POLICY Winter break is often seen as a chance to ourselves speaking again, even though Zach lacking across our community. The Seahawk encourages all readers to submit let­ find rest and relaxation, a respite from the had found a particularly precious girlfriend.