Missouri – For the second time in as many weeks, the South Central Correctional Center prison in Licking, Missouri has ignored a court order to release an inmate who was wrongfully convicted for a murder.
On Monday, July 22, 2024, St. Louis Circuit Jason Sengheiser tossed out Christopher Dunn’s conviction for a murder that took place in 1990. 52-year-old Dunn has spent 33 years behind bars and is being forced to remain there because of an appeal made by Republican Attorney General Andrew Bailey. Lawyers for Bailey’s office said at the hearing that initial testimony from two boys at the scene who identified Dunn as the shooter was correct, even though they recanted as adults.
“In our view, the judge’s order was very clear, ordering his immediate release,” St.Louis Circuit Attorney Gabe Gore said at a news conference Tuesday. “Based on that, we are considering what approach and what legal options we have to obtain Mr. Dunn’s relief.”
Dunn was originally convicted of first-degree murder in the 1990 shooting of 15-year-old Ricco Rogers. After going through the case for nearly two months, Sengheiser issued a ruling that cited “a clear and convincing showing of ‘actual innocence’ that undermines that basis for Dunn’s convictions because in light of new evidence, no juror, acting reasonably, would have voted to find Dunn guilty of these crimes beyond a reasonable doubt.” Dunn was largely convicted based on the testimony of two boys, ages 12 and 14, who later recanted, saying that they had been coerced by police. There was never any positive DNA evidence to tie Dunn to the murder.
This makes two cases of wrongfully convicted prisoners that Andrew Bailey called the prison and told them to continue to hold the prisoners against court orders. Judges have stated that if Bailey continues to do so, Bailey himself would have to appear in court with contempt of court on the table.
Christopher is being forced to stay in the South Central Correctional Center, even after being found innocent, until further notice.
