A man from Missouri was released from prison after spending 34 years behind bars for a murder he didn’t commit. Despite the state attorney general’s efforts to keep him imprisoned, Christopher Dunn was freed when his conviction was overturned.
“I never gave up because my family never gave up,” Dunn said. “It’s easy to give up in prison when you lose hope. But when the system throws you away, you have to decide whether to settle or fight.”
Dunn, now 52, was reunited with his wife, Kira Dunn, after his release from the St. Louis city jail. He was transferred from a state prison in Licking, Missouri, about 140 miles away.
A judge overturned Dunn’s conviction on July 22 and ordered his immediate release. However, Dunn remained in prison as Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey appealed the decision to keep him incarcerated.
Reflecting on the delay, Dunn described it as torture, as he was prepared to leave but then had to return to prison.
This is the second recent case where someone was freed despite Bailey’s attempts to keep them in prison. Sandra Hemme was released on July 19 after serving 43 years for a murder, with a judge finding evidence of her innocence. Bailey opposed her release as well but was forced to comply when a judge threatened him with contempt.
Political analysts suggest Bailey’s tough stance is an attempt to gain votes ahead of a Republican primary.
At one point, Dunn was close to being released when a judge threatened a warden with contempt. The Missouri Supreme Court then considered the case, temporarily halting his freedom. On Tuesday, the state’s highest court required confirmation from the St. Louis circuit attorney that Dunn would not be retried. Once confirmed, Dunn was set free.
The Midwest Innocence Project expressed joy at Dunn’s release, emphasizing their support as he rebuilds his life.
Earlier in the day, Missouri NAACP leaders and others accused Bailey of politically and racially motivated efforts to keep Dunn imprisoned. They argued Bailey exceeded his authority in appealing the judge’s ruling.
Bailey’s office justified the efforts to keep Dunn in prison, citing previous court affirmations of Dunn’s conviction and a commitment to uphold the rule of law.
Dunn was initially convicted of first-degree murder for the 1990 shooting of 15-year-old Ricco Rogers. New evidence led St. Louis Circuit Attorney Gabe Gore to seek to vacate the conviction. A judge ruled in favor of Dunn, citing clear evidence of his innocence.
Despite this, the Missouri Attorney General’s Office opposed vacating the conviction. Two boys initially identified Dunn as the shooter but later recanted. Dunn maintained he was at his mother’s home during the shooting.
Missouri law allows prosecutors to request hearings for wrongful convictions. This law led to the release of Lamar Johnson and Kevin Strickland, who were wrongfully convicted and spent decades in prison.
Another hearing is upcoming for Marcellus Williams, who faces execution despite DNA evidence suggesting his innocence. Bailey’s office is also opposing the challenge to Williams’ conviction.