How a Missouri law keeps wrongfully convicted inmates like Christopher Dunn behind bars

[@darrellr8534]

Everyone knows why he's still sitting in jail in Missouri. This is a travesty.

[@rondas7772]

Exactly, racism is alive and well in the entire state

[@Naturefan354]

Because Missouri has a backward and primitive criminal justice system

[@PaparazziPete]

I live in southeast Missouri and it’s very racist! 😒😒

[@miss.wilson3240]

Exactly

[@YouTubehatesthetruth]

@@rondas7772The entire country

[@hatedalien]

Imprisonment is a business in America. Remember that!

[@meahdahlgren6537]

Right ❤

[@cantstop-wontstop2138]

@hatedalien BLACK imprisonment is a business in America. There...I fixed it for you.

[@keepcalm1224]

@@cantstop-wontstop2138 Thank you👏

[@jamesjingle9533]

​@cantstop-wontstop2138 so profitable even blacks are in the business to incarnate more blacks

[@SundayCookingRemix]

For profit

[@SoberBangBangVeteran]

The governor could pardon him. Unfortunately in 2023 these officials aren’t for the people or the facts.

[@meahdahlgren6537]

Right ❤❤❤❤

[@DJShawn1980NYC]

Caucasian officials

[@Laoriginal718]

These politicians have NEVER cared. This is why voting is a waste of time.

[@BamaPoka]

Never been for blacks especially black men

[@SoberBangBangVeteran]

@@DJShawn1980NYC Discussing the prison system involves considering various aspects. Instead of attributing blame solely based on race, it's beneficial to explore the diverse factors contributing to the challenges. Encouraging open dialogue, sharing a range of experiences, and advocating for well-informed policies can lead to a more comprehensive understanding and contribute to positive change.

[@joeanderson8839]

This is why I believe our criminal justice system needs reform. Innocent people need to be set free.

[@eatpigsnot]

"criminal justice system" is something Hollywood invented. america has a legal system, which i agree needs enormous reform

[@40acresandatractor]

THEIR whole system is INHERENTLY anti-Black and unjust💯

[@onceagain6184]

​@@eatpigsnotSTOP IT! That is just semantics

[@onceagain6184]

​​@eatpigsnot Did Hollywood invented the federal department of Justice?

[@chriskersey1955]

Criminal INJUSTICE system!!!!

[@louisiana318]

So in other words Missouri don't give a damn if you're innocent or not

[@SB-fu1ze]

LET CHRIS DUNN OUT OF JAIL!!!! This is SICK…MISSOURI IS SICK…AMERICA IS SICK!

[@brennonflowers]

People don’t understand how often innocent people take plea deals. We’re taught to think that if someone pleads Guilty then they must be guilty. I believe anyone proven to be wrongfully convicted should be given restitution and no less than 1 million per year for every year they were in jail.

[@sham3152]

And I agree.

[@rvegas81]

I agree Ray carte

[@TheeHuntress]

I agree. To make things way worse, the lazy and careless public 'defenders' telling innocent clients to plead guilty; so that they can get paid and move on to the next.... The only thing in my so-called criminal history is due to the lawyer advising me to plead guilty or I would 'not be going home to my children.' I had called for help at home. One of the cops was irritated with me for not having a home phone number to provide. He said I was under arrest for 'talking back.' Of course, that is not a real charge; so they charged me with resisting arrest once they got me downtown. I sat in jail for 3 nights, not even knowing what I was there for.

[@steelhurricane4041]

All plead not guilty. The burden of proof is in the state. If I was truly guilty I would take a plea because I really did the crime. But it's hard for someone who is innocent to do that, but I think if my attorney thought I should, based on phony evidence. I'd probably take a plea bargain to be on the safer side.

[@MayTheOddsBeInYourFavor]

Sadly, the country would go bankrupt following that…

[@roseroyce15]

Lord please set this brother free. This is just HORRIBLE.

[@sequoiab4397]

What is wrong with Missouri? This is heartbreaking. No justice for the victim and no justice for Mr. Dunn!

[@HustleTownUSA69th]

It’s the worst most racist state in America. I’m From KC and moved my wife and kids to Texas in 09. I’ll never move back to “Misery”

[@badsinnoeka]

This is an absolute travesty and absolutely unacceptable. This needs to be changed IMMEDIATELY!! How dare the state do this to people. It is disgusting!!!! This man’s whole life has been taken from him and now they won’t let him out? Our justice system is so flawed and these prosecutors who do this to people should go to jail themselves.

[@tylerkinley268]

"lifers aren't entitled to innocence claims". And innocent people don't belong serving life. Crazy, I know.

[@jlarrywhite8]

They dont wanna pay up if they let him go

[@stephanied1028]

Free this man and stop wasting his time and our tax dollars.

[@SoberBangBangVeteran]

As long as we make money off prisoners, it’s not gonna be an equal system.

[@guiltyuntilproveninnocent.]

Who’s we?!?!

[@SoberBangBangVeteran]

@@guiltyuntilproveninnocent. The use of "we" in this context serves as a deliberate abstraction, encapsulating the collective societal involvement in the prison system. Employing a more specific term might risk oversimplification, as the multifaceted nature of this issue involves a spectrum of actors, both public and private, contributing to the complex web of economic incentives within the criminal justice system. "We" fosters a comprehensive viewpoint, acknowledging the interconnectedness of various stakeholders in the broader societal structure.

[@billmarshall268]

How is money made off of prison? The opposite is true. Its a drain on money.

[@RudieObias]

America would rather have innocent people serving life sentences than admit to wrongdoing. For some Americans (mostly Republicans), preserving the justice system at all cost, especially for poor people and minorities, is more important than the truth.

[@SoberBangBangVeteran]

The report by The Sentencing Project underscores that the United States has the highest global incarceration rate, disproportionately affecting communities of color. The sway of private prisons is unmistakable in lobbying efforts, with OpenSecrets revealing substantial contributions to lawmakers endorsing tough-on-crime policies. This intricate relationship between political contributions and policy decisions perpetuates a system that disproportionately impacts marginalized communities. What's equally pressing is the challenge of galvanizing a larger voter turnout. Despite glaring flaws in the criminal justice system, rallying collective civic action remains a hurdle. Fortunately, organizations committed to voter education and registration are vital in overcoming this barrier, emphasizing citizens' power in shaping a more equitable society through the democratic process.

[@jabbarhudson6569]

This is why I believe that we need reparations.

[@billmarshall268]

​@@SoberBangBangVeteranhahahahaha 😂😂, where did you cut and past that from?

[@Just-Princess]

Please CBS continue to report on this. This man should be out of prison now.

[@Kim-yy4zd]

Wow he’s way calmer and humbler than I would be. Free this man

[@eachonereachone]

He has to be in order to get white folks to have compassion for him because an angry innocent black man is scary and doesn't garner sympathy or empathy.

[@GgAmble]

Insane. This man’s life has been Stolen!

[@latymz]

His entire life destroyed. Utterly disgraceful. Those that refuse freedom to the innocent should serve equal time to their knowledge of knowing and not acting. Having information and deciding not to do the just thing is criminal. This is one of the many problems with the justice system.

[@LadyNStreet]

😢 they don't want to admit that they got it wrong

[@chickenwisdom5770]

How in the world can proven innocence not be enough to free someone from prison? Missouri, release this man!!

[@edits4thepeople]

Something needs to be done asap. Enough with the corruption and injustice.

[@SoberBangBangVeteran]

These tyrants always double down. They’re no different than the people that accused this man.

[@dee65cee53]

It’s called The Missouri Compromise for a reason and slaver my is still in full effect in some states.

[@jaquanpowell4605]

Slavery never went away they turned it into mass incarceration

[@icollect2]

Plus they know they gotta pay him!!! 💯

[@kmurray559]

Can he sue the state of Missouri ?

[@Sochi314]

Ha! It's a lot you don't know about the state of Misery. If he was found innocent with DNA evidence, yes he could sue.

[@kmurray559]

@@Sochi314 That’s why I’m asking. But it could be a Civil Rights Lawsuit.

[@SoberBangBangVeteran]

@@kmurray559 In Missouri, individuals who have been wrongly convicted may pursue compensation through the state's exoneration compensation statutes. Missouri Revised Statutes Chapter 650 outlines the process for seeking compensation for those who have served time for a crime they did not commit.

[@SoberBangBangVeteran]

@@Sochi314 I appreciate the clever play on words with 'Misery,' bringing a touch of humor to the conversation about Missouri's legal system. Moreover, your insight regarding the potential for compensation when someone is proven innocent with DNA evidence in the state is valid, underscoring the significance of navigating the legal intricacies with the guidance of an experienced attorney. It appears your comment may have a slightly brusque tone, possibly influenced by what you've been watching. Maintaining a respectful and fact-focused conversation is essential in discussions of this nature.

[@eliharp3576]

What excellent reporting! It's a story to be proud of.

[@tookitogo]

Well, a year after a competing station reported on him…

[@gawd4582]

This was and IS STILL a travesty. 😢

[@rondas7772]

He's from STL and STL is very racist, and so is Missouri

[@rozgordon6125]

Ya are so telling the truth...

[@bbennyj]

I bet you if it was the governor’s child or some higher up, they would have found a way to free them.

[@marimarielove]

Never would have been there, even if their were guilty

[@dhe655]

This is a common problem within all judicial courts. Lawyer's are not willing to upset the state attorneys and judges who are only concerned with their own personal agendas. Our entire judicial system has been completely corrupt for decades.

[@marks5625]

It has always been corrupt

[@johnlewis195]

He can't get out and Trump can't get in ...what a life

[@BethHarmon-yh8ms]

Leave Trump out of this.

[@jd3187-r6k]

If it was his own relative or someone he cared about, would it take him 5 mos. to review 90 pages???

[@MarshaScott-ns1zd]

Right, but he's a Token for you know who

[@veniagivenchy1532]

Why would it take that long to make a decision & why would the prosecutors etc. not wanna release an innocent man when the fake witnesses said they lied ? It's an old case from the 90's . Who cares about trying to save face ? Stop the bullsh*t, scariness, & foolishness & Let that man out of prison !

[@amaofficiale]

The system is ILLEGITIMATE

[@tjpopsit]

The quirk wouldn't work if Dunn was absent of melanin.

[@KentuckyBlue502]

💯 say it again!

[@billmarshall268]

Ok racist

[@pah1921il]

I agree with Gayle King… makes my blood boil..

[@7MoonSonoma]

Same story as Jarvis Jay Masters in San Quentin for 44 years for a crime he didn’t commit too !

[@7MoonSonoma]

Racist system!

[@sonyabolden9652]

Where is the lawyer that represented him? They should be disbarred

[@atlsongbyrd6084]

This is another reason why I don’t wanna do jury duty because you’re determining a person’s whole life even if they are innocent.

[@sonyabolden9652]

That's why you SHOULD do jury duty! You could save an innocent person.

[@tookitogo]

You’re exactly what we need on juries. We need more people who are willing to stand against shaky cases and be skeptical of LEOs.

[@BethHarmon-yh8ms]

@@tookitogo Absolutely right. But I've heard of cases where when the defendant is black, the prosecutor can see to it that any potential black jurors are excluded, to make it an all-white jury, to ensure a conviction. That's what happened to Kevin Strickland over 40 years ago. He got a hung jury at his first trial (the lone black juror was the only holdout), at his next trial, the D.A. saw to it that no minorities made it into the jury box, and Strickland got convicted. He was freed only two years ago when another prosecutor actually admitted he was innocent and fought hard to get him released.

[@tookitogo]

@@BethHarmon-yh8ms yep, I know. It’s despicable. :(

[@bill1058]

Lawsuit big lawsuit due to the laziness of the detectives smh.

[@randyb5579]

This, er, "law" isn't a quirk in the system; it's a feature of the system. Whenever it was written, the sponsors knew exactly what they were doing and so did The State Attorney and DA's who got behind it. The same applies to other states which passed laws where wrongfully convicted men have no financial recourse if exonerated.

[@janedoe1229]

I am so outrage by these stories. Why Missouri's law allows an innocent man to sit in prison

[@BethHarmon-yh8ms]

Many defense attorneys have tried to get the courts to overturn this law, but so far the judges have been unwilling to do so.

[@lisabrightly]

Wishing him some kind of luck out of this awful situation. This is terrible. 🌸

[@wjcolby]

This is so unfair.

[@Authentic1874]

No amount of money can amount to the days lost

[@7MoonSonoma]

Cover all these cases!

[@deroncumberbatch7436]

They took this man life away how could this be

[@cinnamonspice4389]

If he's innocent, release him, Missouri, and get rid of the racist prosecutor that put in their in the first place.

[@neilsimmons9582]

Now that we know the facts the Governor should pardon him immediately but to use a law that probably wasn't meant for this purpose just shows people in power don't care enough for the common man.

[@BethHarmon-yh8ms]

Governor Parson doesn't pardon black men with overwhelming evidence of innocence. Just ask Kevin Strickland and Lamar Johnson.

[@parks2prospod336]

Absolute B.S. too many situations are out there like this!

[@JulioDinsmore-c1m]

These people need to be out the office and sent to prison

[@adwoamk8918]

The police just want to say they have 'solved' a crime.

[@gpinkard]

Shameful injustice. These prosecutors should be prosecuted.

[@traceebrown442]

Damn shame!!!

[@derekmoore3105]

I wonder why this man is still in jail??

[@rayshonthefishingaddict5412]

Everyone should been protesting this man to be Free

[@Prentice6756]

Very Missouri 😔

[@missesha6869]

This is beyond sad!! Come on people, do the right thing and fix it

[@maverickjordan652]

If your not from Missouri, you will never understand how this people work in MO. The system in MO is corrupt!

[@Becca-vk9mq]

Wow! Missouri release this man. This is horrible!

[@dlgmdx]

The whole world has changed while he has been ther all of his adult life

[@Lookn4nutin]

Being from Missouri I’m not surprised. Remember Missouri didn’t want release slavery after the civil war.

[@marcusstanley9317]

Missouri also does not pay wrongfully convicted prisoners any compensation for being falsely convicted either.

[@wadek798]

And why arent the liars held accountable?

[@ernestcassell3835]

This why voting is important to change old laws

[@Lolas_World1]

I have a relative in the same position. Hes been locked up for over 22 years.

[@Ecdee430]

Free this man NOW

[@BruceWest-ev3wk]

Absolutely ridiculous! Everyone involved at some point in their lives has been bragged about or praised for their intelligence, academic accomplishments etc.... But for some wild unexplained reason cannot seem to free an innocent man with prudent evidence that's been provided to them!

[@JamusChristus]

What if I told you that the courthouse where his case ruled is on Dredd Scott Way?

[@BethHarmon-yh8ms]

You have an attorney general (Andrew Bailey, and before him, Eric Schmitt) who ignores evidence of innocence and still insists on Dunn's guilt... You have a circuit attorney (Gabriel Gore) whose political career is apparently more important to him than trying to right a serious miscarriage of justice.... You have two Supreme Courts (the Missouri and U.S) that aren't even interested in looking over the case before ruling NOT to hear it. And of course, you have a governor (Mike Parsons) who has no problem pardoning guilty white people but won't lift a finger to pardon innocent African American men (Dunn isn't the only one he has refused to grant leniency too, he wouldn't pardon Kevin Strickland or Lamar Johnson either). Bottom line, Dunn is still behind bars because absolutely NO ONE wants to do the right thing because they're either too overzealous, too ambitious, too stubborn, or too racist.

[@pauljohnson2590]

It should take a email, not yrs to free this innocent man. They have all the evidence to prove his innocence but won't do the right thing. Sad

[@silvercat6425]

That's one state I would never go .

[@johnnyleopard2668]

Outrageous!

[@bluebloodroyalty8012]

They don’t want to pay him when he’s sues them for wrongful conviction that’s the real reason they won’t let him out in my opinion and it can also open a large can of worms

[@BethHarmon-yh8ms]

Missouri doesn't allow financial settlements to the person unless they've been exonerated by DNA. Unfortunately for Dunn, there was no DNA connected with the case.

[@txcavi]

This is crazy, he needs to be freed.

[@kmbutler04]

Most public defenders come out of the same DAs office prosecuting their clients. So they are friends/buddies! Seen & know this personally. I previously worked for a criminal def atty. He would fax over request asking DAs what plea they were willing to offer then tell his clients to accept. 1) He really thought the clients were guilty and 2) he was lazy and didn't want to go to trial on behalf of the client. I would secretly tell some clients to go hire a private atty. Sadly, we are seeing corruption and injustice all the way, even to highest court in America

[@ronnyhampton9140]

Release the innocent man from prison.

[@Julius29C]

Everyond failed this young man from the Detectives, prosecutors, and the jury that wanted to put a Black male in prison.

[@BethHarmon-yh8ms]

It only took the jury a half hour to convict him too. Shows you how little they actually cared about a man's life. It also didn't help that Dunn had a public defender who didn't put up any kind of a defense for him. She called no witnesses for him, raised no objections. She pretty much rested the case when it was the defense's turn to present their side. The prosecutor on this case went on to become a judge. I shudder to think how many other innocent people he's put away from behind the bench.

[@steelhurricane4041]

You would think it would be thrown out based on false testimony.😢

[@Sochi314]

That happens on tv and in the movies.

[@steelhurricane4041]

@@Sochi314 I don't think so.

[@LoveDebate]

A 12 year old and a 14 year old put this dude behind bars

[@MarshaScott-ns1zd]

That's crazy isn't it? I thought the same thing...where was the parents of those kids

[@henryturner2807]

See a problem is that it's not unusual for people years later also she shouldn't have married him because she looked biased now against the system they should have kept that under wraps and married him when he got out of jail after she got finished

[@BethHarmon-yh8ms]

Why shouldn't they get married? If they love each other and care enough about each other, then they have the right to get married if they want. And Dunn has few rights and privileges as it is. And who knows when or if he'll ever get out of prison. I say do it. I certainly wouldn't support a legal system that says you have to stay in prison even if you've proven your innocence unless you're on death row.

[@rhondagrace1370]

The people who wrote that Missouri law wouldn't like that law to apply to them . Deuteronomy 16:19 You must not distort justice: you shall not show partiality; you shall not take a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes even of the wise and twists the words even of the just.

[@v.v.6551]

Everyone in Missouri should leave knowing this Law

[@dbelieve30]

This makes Missouri unsafe for black people. It’s disgusting.

[@trinawashington9148]

Just sad 😞

[@erinnorwood6124]

Free the innocent prisoners!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@andreamoore1557]

This is really sad to have happened to him ..who feels it knows it! Hold the faith brother

[@demetriusevans4139]

I know it hurts Gayle Kings soul to report any that shows BM being in the right

[@MixtapeKilla2004]

REAL TALK!

[@rhondagrace1370]

🤣

[@noontyme-ve6tp]

The only reason he’s still in jail is. They know they will be sued and he’ll win. Letting him out is them admitting fault and he would have a good lawsuit.

[@BethHarmon-yh8ms]

Unfortunately, because there was no DNA at the scene, Dunn would not be entitled to compensation. This is Missouri law. Only if DNA can exonerate a person can they expect a good sum of money from the state. It's an injustice, but that's the way Missouri operates. They tried to pass a bill allowing every exonerated person to get a financial settlement, DNA or not, but Parson vetoed it.

[@this1wisechic]

Kim Gardner's LAST Motion was to vacate Chris Dunn. Gore is the one who stopped it. Why no mention of this?

[@MarshaScott-ns1zd]

So Very True...She was working on freeing Christopher Dunn, but that racist appointed Attorney General stopped it and that new Appointed Prosecuting Attorney.

[@BethHarmon-yh8ms]

Exactly. That's why I'm not holding out a whole lot of hope that Gore will do the right thing and refile the motion to set aside Dunn's conviction. And don't forget he got his appointment as the new Circuit Attorney from Mike Parson, the man who has never had any empathy for the wrongly convicted, especially since most of them are African Americans.

[@WanderingRationalist]

I hope they are working on finding whoever killed this kid

[@Hope-Dasher]

That’s all good and well, but first let the phucking guy who didn’t do it the hell out of prison

[@BethHarmon-yh8ms]

It's not the mission of Dunn's defense team or the Innocence Project to find the true killer....their job is to try and help get Dunn his freedom. Don't get me wrong, the boy and his family deserve justice too, but it's unlikely they'll get it, thanks to AG Bailey and his staff devoting all their time and resources to keeping Dunn in prison.

[@djai4true68]

WE SPEAK JESUS AND COMMAND CHIRS TO BE LOOSED IN TH MIGHTY NAME OG JESUS CHRIST! RIGHT NOW! I DECREE IT BY THE POWER AND AUTHORITY OF JESUS ❤

[@nlp6082]

Pray the trajectory change for justice in this case.

[@BethHarmon-yh8ms]

A few days go Gore just announced it will now take until 'early next year' for a decision on Dunn's case. 'Early next year' could be as early as March or even April. Chances are by then he'll continue to put off on giving an answer as to whether or not he'll go ahead with trying to vacate the conviction. His political career seems to be more important than Chris Dunn's life. Meanwhile Dunn and his family will have to continue to suffer through more months of uncertainty to his fate.

[@BethHarmon-yh8ms]

Everybody on here saying he should sue Missouri.....he can't, largely because his case doesn't involve DNA. Even if he were to be free tomorrow, he would not be allowed to file a lawsuit against them since he was convicted on the mere testimony of the two kids who have since recanted, DNA had not been a factor in his case. It's a big injustice that he's still behind bars even with a judge saying he's innocent, and just as bad that even if he wins his freedom he'll won't get a cent from the state that unjustly convicted him even after new evidence came out that didn't commit the murders.

[@ChaunaDixon-he4pp]

I watched a nearly identical video a year ago that was from Missori too. The prosecutor was fighting FOR the man (whom was proven innocent) and still couldn't cut through the red tape to free him. Meanwhile his co-defendents that were charged similarly but took pleas had been out decades.

[@BethHarmon-yh8ms]

I remember that case, it was Kevin Strickland, who spent 43 years behind bars. His life wasn't a priority for the good old boy governor at the time.

[@Brooklyngangsta999]

Its an unconstitutional statute/law, thus, he has to challenge in the U.S. Supreme Court. It violates the 14th amendment equal protection clause of the federal constitution since its based off a state law/statute. In other words, the state constitution does not supersede the United States Constitution, thus, he should take it ftom there if he hasnt already.

[@BethHarmon-yh8ms]

He and his lawyers already tried to bring it to the Supreme Court, but they weren't interested in hearing his case. Likewise the Missouri Supreme court. Missouri is one state where innocence doesn't matter at all, it seems.

[@beautifulwithbrains3096]

They just blocked his release

[@obioraabiakam1604]

1:15 By the year models of those vehicles and the quality of the video, thats not 1990...

[@wingspan7679]

*how many CHRIS DUNN'S are there???????????*

[@BethHarmon-yh8ms]

Too many. And rarely any judges and prosecutors who give a damn. The attorney general certainly doesn't.

[@LilliLamour]

Laws like this are done on purpose.