Christopher Dunn's release appears imminent as St. Louis Circuit Attorney declines to retry case

3 months ago 7

ST. LOUIS – The decades-long saga of freeing a Missouri man wrongfully convicted of murder is nearing its denouement.

On Tuesday, the Missouri Supreme Court ruled that the St. Louis Circuit Court lacked the authority to order the release of Christopher Dunn because the underlying murder charge filed against him was still pending. The state's highest court wrote, “ordering [Mr. Dunn’s] release without allowing the State of Missouri an opportunity to indicate its intent, if any, to retry Dunn."

In essence, the matter was put back in the hands of St. Louis Circuit Attorney Gabe Gore, who last week filed a motion for Dunn's immediate release. St. Louis Circuit Judge Jason Sengheiser overturned Dunn's conviction on July 22.

Following the state Supreme Court's ruling, Gore's office released a statement saying they had "filed a Memorandum of Nolle Prosequi stating that 'the State elects not to proceed' in State of Missouri vs. Christopher Dunn, Cause Number 22901-001555, which makes clear that Mr. Dunn will not be retried."

With the prosecution declining to retry Dunn, his release is expected.