In an unexpected twist of fate, Christopher Dunn walked free after more than three decades behind bars, his murder conviction overturned. Dunn has steadfastly claimed innocence in the 1990 fatal shooting of Ricco Rogers, a mere 15-year-old, who met his tragic end while perched on a porch.
This July, St. Louis City Judge Jason Sengheiser made waves by overturning Dunn’s conviction. He pointed to new, compelling evidence that underscored Dunn’s innocence, arguing that no juror, under reasonable scrutiny, could convict Dunn beyond a reasonable doubt. This new evidence cast a long shadow over the original verdict, stirring the waters of justice.
“I was given an opportunity to live a life I was robbed of.”
52-year-old Christopher Dunn was released from prison on Tuesday after spending 34 years behind bars for a murder he did not commit. In a @CBSMornings exclusive, Dunn spoke with @EFMoriarty to detail his legal battle. pic.twitter.com/WGIfsQQZoe
— CBS Evening News (@CBSEveningNews) July 31, 2024
Yet, the story took another dramatic turn on July 30. The state Supreme Court stepped in, ruling that Dunn must remain in custody until the state decides on a possible retrial. The court sided with the State Attorney General’s Office, emphasizing that Dunn could not be released unconditionally while criminal charges still loom. This decision leaves Dunn in a perplexing state of limbo, unsure of what comes next.
The Midwest Innocence Project, a fervent advocate for Dunn, expressed a cocktail of emotions—joy at his release tempered by frustration over the extended ordeal. They vowed to stand by Dunn as he attempts to rebuild a life that was unjustly taken from him, a life marred by wrongful imprisonment for a crime he did not commit.
Christopher Dunn embraces his family after being released from prison in Missouri. Dunn served 34 years for a crime he has now been exonerated of. @FOX2now pic.twitter.com/0gM3u2wrxK
— Max Diekneite (@MaxDFOX2) July 31, 2024
Dunn’s case, now dissected under a microscope, hinges on the testimony of two young witnesses, aged just 12 and 14 when they initially pointed fingers. These witnesses later retracted their statements, revealing they had been coerced into identifying Dunn as the shooter. One witness, Michael Davis Jr., confessed in a recorded interview that he had lied, misled by a false belief that Dunn was affiliated with a rival gang. The other, DeMorris Stepp, has shifted his narrative multiple times, adding layers of confusion to an already convoluted case.
Despite the glaring absence of physical evidence tying Dunn to the crime, he was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life without parole. His family consistently testified that he was home at the time, engaged in mundane activities—watching TV and chatting on the landline, far from the scene of the crime.
“He’s been there 34 years. There are people who are actually convicted of murders who there’s no question about, who don’t serve 34 years.”@STLsherpa says Andrew Bailey should allow Christopher Dunn to be released from prison. #DonnybrookSTL pic.twitter.com/LqJQ2VOmdD
— DonnybrookSTL (@DonnybrookStl) July 28, 2024
The Missouri attorney general’s office, determined to uphold the original conviction, insists on the reliability of the recanted testimonies. As the legal tides ebb and flow, the possibility of a retrial looms large, casting a shadow over Dunn’s newfound freedom. This saga of justice and uncertainty continues to unfold, leaving Dunn and his supporters on edge, waiting for the final chapter in this long, tangled narrative.
Major Points
- Christopher Dunn released after 34 years in prison, murder conviction overturned.
- Judge cites new evidence proving Dunn’s innocence, casting doubt on original conviction.
- State Supreme Court mandates Dunn’s custody pending possible retrial.
- Midwest Innocence Project advocates for Dunn, expresses mixed emotions on release.
- Case centered on recanted testimony from coerced young witnesses, no physical evidence against Dunn.
Susan Guglielmo – Reprinted with permission of Whatfinger News