The Missouri Supreme Court halted the immediate release of Christopher Dunn, 52, on Wednesday, despite a St. Louis Circuit Court ruling that overturned his murder conviction. Dunn, who was on the brink of freedom, had been ordered by Judge Jason Sengheiser to be released by 6 p.m. CDT. However, Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey’s appeal led to the Supreme Court’s intervention, delaying Dunn’s release. As Dunn was signing his release paperwork, the Missouri Supreme Court issued a stay, creating a tense and chaotic situation.
Dunn’s conviction was overturned on Monday due to evidence of “actual innocence” in the 1990 killing of 15-year-old Ricco Rogers. Dunn’s case drew parallels to Sandra Hemme’s, who was wrongfully imprisoned for 43 years before her conviction was overturned in June. Despite the court’s order, Bailey’s office, which is engaged in a highly competitive race for the attorney general position, advised the Department of Corrections not to release Dunn until the appeal process is complete. This decision has sparked frustration and criticism from Dunn’s legal team and family.
Political motivations behind Bailey’s actions have been suggested, with analysts noting that Bailey’s stance may be aimed at bolstering his tough-on-crime image ahead of the upcoming primary. Critics argue that ignoring court orders undermines the judicial system and prolongs the suffering of wrongfully convicted individuals, further complicating Bailey’s legal and political standing.
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