Wrongful Convictions

Christopher Dunn was released from a Missouri prison after being wrongfully incarcerated for 34 years.

Christopher Dunn, who a judge ruled was wrongfully convicted and imprisoned for more than 30 years, remains in prison after a series of court rulings on Wednesday.

His family members say they’re holding their breath awaiting his release after Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey’s office expressed plans to appeal the decision.

Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey’s office plans to appeal, which would likely block Dunn’s release.

Christopher Dunn is serving a life sentence for the 1990 murder of Ricco Rogers. But two adolescent eyewitnesses have recanted, and prosecutors say they no longer believe that Dunn is guilty.

A jury convicted Christopher Dunn of a 1990 murder based solely on testimony from two adolescent boys who later recanted. Although a judge has ruled that Dunn would likely not be convicted without them, a quirk of state law means he remains beyond bars.

Dunn is optimistic about his freedom but also cautious: “I've been down this road before.”

Illinois leads nation in overturned wrongful convictions, but has one of the lowest repayment structures.

St. Louis Circuit Attorney Gabe Gore’s predecessor, Kim Gardner, filed a similar motion just days before she left office. Gore withdrew the motion in June to conduct his own review of the case.

Johnson had long maintained he did not shoot and kill Marcus Boyd in 1994. A judge ruled last year that “clear and convincing” evidence showed Johnson was innocent and freed him after 28 years.