New in the Lou: 3rd Edish

Good morning, folks, and happy Thursday! Is it just us, or does it feel like we’re all just marinating in our own sweat every time we step outside? I swear, we’re already counting down the days till summer is over. Friends with lake houses or pools are basically the new celebrities right now. Meanwhile, here at New in the Lou, we’re like a bunch of kids waiting for the ice cream truck—just desperate for that crisp fall weather to come through. STL, hang tight, because this swampy humidity can’t last forever. Only 52 days left… and who’s counting? Oh right, us.

WEATHER AND SPORTS

AROUND TOWN
Chris Dunn is done… with prison

Imagine being tried, convicted, and imprisoned for 34 years for something you didn’t do. That’s exactly what happened to Chris Dunn. The nightmare began back in 1990:

Dunn was convicted of first-degree murder, assault, and armed criminal action related to the 1990 shooting death of Ricco Rogers. He was sentenced to life without parole for the murder, along with additional consecutive sentences totaling ninety years for the other charges. The conviction was primarily based on the testimony of two young eyewitnesses, DeMorris Stepp and Michael Davis, who have since recanted their testimonies, introducing doubt about Dunn's guilt.

What is the new evidence? The new evidence includes independent eyewitness Eugene Wilson, who testified that it was too dark to identify the shooter and corroborated the recantations of Stepp and Davis. Stepp and Davis admitted under oath that they lied in their original testimonies due to police pressure and other influences. Additional witnesses and evidence support Dunn's alibi, suggesting he was elsewhere during the crime.

Judge William Hickle of the Texas County Circuit Court ruled that the new evidence and recantations indicate no reasonable jury would find Dunn guilty today. However, due to limitations in Missouri's Rule 91 habeas corpus jurisprudence, which applies only to death penalty cases, Judge Hickle was unable to overturn the conviction.

However, in 2021 a new law, Senate Bill 53, contained a section that allows prosecutors to file motions to vacate or set aside convictions based on new evidence of innocence or constitutional error. Former STL Circuit Attorney, Kim Gardner initially filed a motion to vacate the sentence in 2023, however, she resigned days later. Current STL Circuit Attorney, Gabe Gore, withdrew the motion so he could perform his own review of the case. In February of this year, Gore announced that he filed his own motion for release, and this month, St. Louis City Judge Jason Sengheiser agreed with Gore.

Not so fast! Although the conviction was overturned, the Missouri State Supreme Court ruled that the circuit court couldn’t order Dunn’s release without allowing the state a chance to retry him. However, the circuit attorney’s office announced it would not retry Dunn, and Dunn was released on Tuesday.

Show me the 💵. After spending the majority of your life in prison for something you didn’t do, the least the state could do is throw you a few dollars to get back on your feet, right? Wrong. While there is a current law (SB 1094) that allows for potential restitution for those wrongly convicted, this law requires that the exoneration be based on DNA evidence. Since this exoneration was based primarily on recanted testimony, Dunn would not qualify.

In an interview with First Alert 4, Dunn said,

When asked what the first thing Dunn wanted to do in STL now that he’s released, he said he wanted to head to the stadium for a Cards Cubs game. Although unclear if he’s a Cubs fan?

STL PD close investigation of the 2022 CVPA school shooting

Recently released footage has shed new light on the tragic events of October 24, 2022, at Central Visual and Performing Arts High School in St. Louis. The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department has made public approximately 12 minutes of video, including school security camera footage and body camera recordings from responding officers.

The footage reveals that the 19-year-old shooter, a former student, arrived at the school at 9:02 AM. He gained entry by shooting out a glass door at 9:07 AM, despite the presence of security guards. The suspect, dressed in black and armed with a rifle, moved through the building over the next 20 minutes, firing shots in multiple locations including the gymnasium.

Law enforcement was dispatched at 9:11 AM, with the first officers arriving on scene shortly after. The incident concluded at approximately 9:26 AM when police confronted and fatally shot the suspect in a third-floor computer lab. Tragically, a 15-year-old student and a 61-year-old teacher lost their lives in the attack, with seven others injured.

In response to the incident, St. Louis Public Schools has invested significantly in safety upgrades. Board of Education Vice President Matt Davis reported that around $35 million will be spent on improvements to the CVPA/CSMB complex alone.

The release of this footage has reignited discussions about school safety measures and gun control policies. Local educators' union spokesperson Byron Clemens emphasized the need for "red flag" laws in Missouri, which could allow for temporary removal of firearms from individuals deemed potentially dangerous.

As our community continues to heal from this tragedy, these new details serve as a somber reminder of the importance of ongoing efforts to ensure the safety of our schools and students.

WEEKEND WONDERS
What to do this week

Thursday

🤠 Cody Jinks at STL Music Park: It’s about to get Loud and Heavy at STL Music Park. From thrash metal singer to outlaw county music rising star, grab tickets for $60. Show starts at 7pm.

🌸 Mason Jar Flower Lantern Workshop at Wildflower STL Studio: Want to add some low maintenance nature to your home? Join Wildflower STL for an evening creating lovely lanterns with dried flowers. Limited spots left!

Friday

🧑‍🍳 Taste of STL at BPV: Foodies unite! With flavors for every taste, diet, age, and lifestyle, support local restaurants August 2 - 4 at Ball Park Village with even more flavor than last year (double the size). No reservation needed and the event is free!

🤡 Clownvis Beer Release at 4 Hands Downtown: 4 Hands Brewery is releasing Clownvis, a strawberry blonde ale brewed with the legendary Clownvis Presley, this Friday at the 4 Hands Brewery & Tasting Room at 6pm! Be there to meet Clownvis, taste the beer and snag commemorative glassware!

Saturday

🤣 Kevin Hart at The Fox: Kevin Hart is rolling into town, and you better be ready! The guy who turned his epic fails into legendary comedy in "Laugh at My Pain" and "What Now?" is bringing the heat. Don’t miss your chance to catch the funniest little dude on the planet. A second show was added Sunday!

📼 Back to the ‘90s End of Summer Party at Cedar Lake Winery: Head to The Barrel Room on Saturday, August 3rd for a night that’s all about the ’90s! Get ready to dance like you’re “Backstreets Back” and party with the energy of a Spice Girls reunion. Enjoy classic jams, delicious food, and your drink of choice from The Smokehouse. Teachers get 10% off with school ID!

Sunday

🚗 Legos, Cars, and Coffee: The Minifig Shop (did you know STL had a store dedicated to LEGOs?) and The Cherry Garage are teaming up for the first-ever LEGO Cars & Coffee event on August 4th from 9am to 12pm in Midtown Alley St. Louis! Enjoy automotive-themed LEGO sets, cool cars, and delicious food and coffee. Swing by The Minifig Shop for LEGO Technic and Speed Champions sets, and grab a bite from The Cherry Garage.

✒️ Carnival of Ink at St. Charles Convention Center: The Annual Tattoo Festival is celebrating its 11th year and promises to be bigger than ever! This weekend event brings together top tattoo studios and artists from around the world, plus live performance art for a full experience. Artists book their spots months in advance, so whether you're looking to get inked or just want to enjoy the show, make sure to reserve your spot soon.

ARCHWAY ARCADE
Poll question of the week

Winner of last week’s poll question:

Was it ever really going to be close? T-Ravs by TKO.

Did you know?

Walt Disney's Riverfront Square was a planned theme park in St. Louis, Missouri, set to be the second Disney park after Disneyland. Developed between 1963 and 1965, the park was to feature attractions similar to Disneyland. However, plans fell through due to financial disputes and Disney's desire to focus on Florida, which led to the creation of Walt Disney World. August Busch Jr. potentially offended Disney by publicly criticizing the park’s potential success without selling beer. The park would have been located north of Busch Memorial Stadium and included classic attractions like Pirates of the Caribbean and the Haunted Mansion.

Trivia

What rank did St. Louis hold in terms of city size in the U.S. according to the 1910 census? answer below

SHARING IS CARING
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Trivia Answer: In the 1910 census, St. Louis was the 4th biggest city in the U.S. with a population of 687,000. The top three cities were New York City, Chicago, and Philadelphia. At that time, St. Louis was almost twice as big as Los Angeles.