Missouri Man Freed After 1991 Murder Conviction Overturned

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In 1990, 15-year-old Ricco Rogers was killed in St. Louis. Two young witnesses testified that Christopher Dunn, then 18, was the shooter, leading to Dunn's conviction in 1991 and a sentence of life without parole. However, over the years, the two witnesses recanted their testimony, describing pressure from police and prosecutors. In 2024, a judge vacated Dunn's conviction, finding clear and convincing evidence of his actual innocence. The state initially opposed Dunn's release, but prosecutors eventually dismissed the charges, and Dunn walked free in July 2024 after 34 years behind bars. However, the state later appealed the decision to vacate the conviction, leaving Dunn's future in legal limbo.

Why it matters

Dunn's case highlights the risks of relying on childhood testimony, the challenges of overturning wrongful convictions in Missouri, and the ongoing debate over the balance between finality of convictions and the pursuit of truth and justice. It sheds light on broader issues in the criminal justice system, such as the reliability of eyewitness testimony, the power of prosecutors, and the need for legal avenues to correct errors.

The details

In the 1990 killing of Ricco Rogers, there was no physical evidence tying Dunn to the crime. The case rested solely on the testimony of two boys, aged 12 and 14 at the time, who later recanted, saying they had been pressured by police and prosecutors. Despite the lack of evidence and the recantations, Missouri law at the time did not allow for 'actual innocence' claims by those sentenced to life without parole. It wasn't until 2021 that a new state law gave prosecutors the ability to seek to vacate wrongful convictions in such cases. In 2024, the St. Louis Circuit Attorney used this law to file a motion to vacate Dunn's conviction, which a judge granted after finding clear and convincing evidence of his actual innocence. However, the state then appealed the decision, leaving Dunn's status in legal limbo even after his release.

• On May 18, 1990, Ricco Rogers, 15, was killed in the Wells-Goodfellow neighborhood of St. Louis.
• In 1991, a jury convicted Christopher Dunn of first-degree murder, assault, and armed criminal action.
• In 2020, a Missouri judge reviewed the case and concluded that no reasonable jury would convict Dunn today.
• In 2021, Missouri enacted a law allowing prosecutors to seek to vacate wrongful convictions.
• In February 2024, the St. Louis Circuit Attorney filed a motion to vacate Dunn's conviction under the new law.
• On July 22, 2024, a judge vacated Dunn's conviction, finding clear and convincing evidence of his actual innocence.
• On July 30, 2024, Dunn was released from prison after 34 years.
• In April 2025, the Missouri Supreme Court ruled that the state could appeal the decision to vacate Dunn's conviction.
• In February 2026, the Missouri Court of Appeals heard arguments on whether the 2024 innocence ruling will stand.

What they’re saying

What’s next

In February 2026, the Missouri Court of Appeals will decide whether the 2024 ruling that vacated Dunn's conviction will stand or if the state can attempt to rebuild the case against him.