A Missouri judge has overturned the conviction of Christopher Dunn, who has spent over 30 years in prison for a crime he has long maintained he did not commit. The ruling, issued by St. Louis Circuit Judge Jason Sengheiser, is expected to lead to Dunn's release from prison, where he has been serving a life sentence without parole.
The decision came after a three-day hearing on Dunn's case, during which new evidence was presented. The Circuit Attorney filed a motion seeking to vacate the guilty verdict, citing 'actual innocence' that undermines the basis for Dunn's conviction.
Dunn, now 52, was convicted of first-degree murder in the 1990 shooting of 15-year-old Ricco Rogers. The initial testimony from witnesses who identified Dunn as the shooter was later recanted, leading to doubts about the accuracy of the verdict.
Dunn's attorney expressed joy at the judge's ruling and stated that Dunn is looking forward to reuniting with his family as a free man.
While the Missouri Attorney General's Office opposed the effort to vacate Dunn's conviction, citing the accuracy of the initial verdict, the Attorney General's Office plans to appeal the decision.
This ruling comes in the wake of other cases in Missouri where individuals were freed after serving decades in prison for crimes they did not commit. The state's adoption of a law in 2021 allows prosecutors to request hearings in cases of potential wrongful convictions.
The decision to overturn Dunn's conviction highlights the ongoing efforts to ensure justice and fairness in the criminal justice system, as more cases of wrongful convictions are brought to light and addressed.
