Freedom After 34 Years of Wrongful Imprisonment: Christopher Dunn’s Story
St. Louis, Missouri – After spending 34 years behind bars for a murder he did not commit, Christopher Dunn finally walks free. On Tuesday, family members and supporters gathered on the sidewalk outside the Carnahan Courthouse in downtown St. Louis to watch Dunn take his first steps as a free man.
The Verdict and The Release
His release comes after a legal battle spearheaded by the local Circuit Attorney and the Midwest Innocence Project. “It shouldn’t have been this long,” Dunn expressed after his release. “Nor should have it taken this long for everyone to come forward now.” He also acknowledged the integral support he received from his family and attorney throughout his fight for liberation.
Previously, Dunn was just moments away from enjoying his freedom when the Missouri Attorney General’s Office argued against his release. His subsequent confinement was what Dunn described as ‘torture’. However, six days later, the Missouri Supreme Court overruled the objection. It declared that with his conviction being overturned, Dunn had to be released back to St. Louis, whence he was originally charged.
The Legal Battle
Dunn was falsely convicted for the 1990 murder of Ricco Rogers and held steadfast to his proclamation of innocence. The two original witnesses, who were 12 and 14 at the time, eventually recanted their testimonies, adding more weight to his claim. In 2020, a judge finally recognized evidence supporting Dunn’s innocence.
In May 2021, the Circuit Attorney filed a motion to vacate Dunn’s sentence. A year later, another judge overturned the conviction and prepared to release Dunn. However, the Missouri Attorney General, Andrew Bailey, appealed to keep him behind bars, causing a minor setback in his journey to freedom.
Road to Recovery
Despite losing a significant part of his youthful life and suffering health problems in prison, Dunn chooses not to dwell on the past. He believes harboring negativity and resentment would hinder his ability to move forward. Addressing his erstwhile prosecutors, Dunn said, “I forgive you. I’m not going to forget, but I do forgive you.”
As he begins to rebuild his life, one of the first things he plans to do is to attend a baseball game. He reflected on the importance of hope and determination required to survive the unjust imprisonment, remarking, “It’s easy to give up in prison when you lose hope but when the system chooses to throw you away, you have to ask yourself if you’re willing to just settle for it or are you going to fight for it.”
Following his liberation, it has been confirmed that Dunn cannot be retried. The criminal record he has acquired during the past 34 years was purged, offering him a clean slate to start anew. His freedom, after decades of legal turmoil, symbolizes a moving narrative of relentless hope and resilience amidst grave injustice.
