Midwest Innocence Project

Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey’s office is opposing the release of Howard Roberts after a Greene County circuit judge ordered a retrial. This is the third time this summer that Bailey has opposed the release of a prisoner whose conviction was vacated.

Christopher Dunn, whom a Missouri judge ruled was wrongfully convicted and imprisoned for more than 30 years, remains in prison after a series of court rulings Wednesday. The Missouri Attorney General has been pushing to keep Dunn and other wrongfully convicted prisoners behind bars.

Christopher Dunn's situation is similar to that of Sandra Hemme, who spent 43 years in prison for the fatal stabbing of a woman in 1980 before her conviction was overturned. In both cases, Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey has fought to keep them in prison.

Dunn was convicted of murder and assault in 1991, largely on the testimony of two boys who later recanted, saying they were coerced by police and prosecutors. But Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey’s office plans to appeal, which would likely block Dunn’s release.

Sandra Hemme has spent 43 years in Missouri prison for a grisly 1980 murder that her lawyers say was actually committed by a police officer. A judge overturned her conviction last week, but the Missouri Attorney General is seeking to block her from being freed.

A Missouri man could be executed this fall for a crime he says he didn’t commit. How flawed is the evidence tying him to this crime, and what efforts have been taken to exonerate him?

Christopher Dunn is serving a life sentence for the 1990 murder of Ricco Rogers. But two adolescent eyewitnesses have recanted, and prosecutors say they no longer believe that Dunn is guilty.

Gov. Mike Parson is expected to sign a bill that could expand the eligibility and payout for Missourians who have been wrongfully convicted and exonerated, as long as they waive their right to sue the state. Experts say the bill is an improvement, but still wouldn't help very many people.

A bill proposed by Missouri state Sen. Tony Luetkemeyer (R-Parkville) would increase and widen the state's compensation for exonerees under the condition they not file a lawsuit. But Tricia Rojo Bushnell, executive director for the Midwest Innocence Project, said the bill still won't fix many of the state's problems.

A crime bill awaits action by Missouri Gov. Mike Parson. Shepherded to passage by Parkville Republican Sen. Tony Luetkemeyer, it removes limits on payments to wrongly convicted people.

Opponents of the death penalty want Missouri to abolish the practice. They say it's not a deterrent — the system is flawed and it gives too much power to the government.

Carnes, who is now 52, was convicted of killing 24-year-old Larry White in October 2003 and sentenced to life in prison. The Missouri Supreme Court set aside his conviction earlier this week.