In Missouri, a second prison has ignored a court order to release an inmate whose murder conviction was overturned. Christopher Dunn, 52, remains imprisoned despite St. Louis Circuit Judge Jason Sengheiser vacating his 1990 conviction. The delay is due to an appeal by Republican Attorney General Andrew Bailey. St. Louis Circuit Attorney Gabe Gore, who investigated Dunn's case and found him wrongfully convicted, expressed confusion over the continued incarceration. Gore is considering legal options to ensure Dunn's release.
This situation mirrors that of Sandra Hemme, who spent 43 years in prison before her conviction was overturned. Hemme was eventually released after a judge threatened Attorney General Bailey with contempt of court for not releasing her. The Midwest Innocence Project, which worked on both cases, highlighted Hemme as the longest-held wrongly incarcerated woman in the U.S.
Dunn was convicted for the 1990 murder of 15-year-old Ricco Rogers based on testimony from two boys who later recanted. Judge Sengheiser cited new evidence and declared Dunn's actual innocence. Despite this, Bailey's office maintained the accuracy of the original testimony. A 2021 Missouri law allows prosecutors to request hearings for wrongful convictions, yet Bailey has opposed such efforts, including the case of Lamar Johnson, who spent 28 years in prison before being freed in February 2023.
Another hearing is scheduled for death row inmate Marcellus Williams, whose execution is set for September 24. Williams was convicted for the 1998 murder of Lisha Gayle, but new evidence suggests his innocence. St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Wesley Bell filed a motion to vacate Williams' conviction based on DNA evidence. Williams previously escaped execution in 2017 when then-Gov. Eric Greitens granted a stay, but current Gov. Mike Parson dissolved the board of inquiry that was examining the case. The Missouri Supreme Court upheld Parson's decision, setting the execution date.
The ongoing imprisonment of Christopher Dunn, despite a court order overturning his wrongful conviction, is a glaring example of systemic failure in our justice system. This is not just a bureaucratic oversight; it's a deliberate disregard for the court's decision and a man's life.
Attorney General Andrew Bailey's appeal against Dunn's release, despite clear evidence of his innocence, is a cruel obstruction of justice. This not only affects Dunn but also reflects a broader pattern of resistance to acknowledging and correcting wrongful convictions. We must push for accountability and insist that those in power prioritize justice over political maneuvering.
Link: AP News
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