Missouri man freed from prison after a judge overturns conviction, despite AG's efforts

by JIM SALTER and HEATHER HOLLINGSWORTH | Associated Press
Tuesday, Jul 30th 2024

ST. LOUIS (AP) —
A Missouri man was freed from prison Tuesday after his murder conviction was overturned after 34 years behind bars, despite the state attorney general's efforts to keep him there.

Christopher Dunn, 52, was driven by van from the state prison in Licking, Missouri, to St. Louis, about 140 miles (225 kilometers) away as his release was imminent. He was officially released from the St. Louis city jail Tuesday night.

A St. Louis circuit judge overturned Dunn's murder conviction on July 22 and ordered his immediate release. But Dunn remained imprisoned amid a chaotic process that began when Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey appealed to try and keep Dunn locked up.

Dunn's release marks the second time in recent weeks that a person was freed from prison despite Bailey's appeals to keep them in custody after a murder conviction was overturned.

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