Bridging a health disparity
@stlouisamerican
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St. Louis American See page A8
The
CAC Audited MAY 23 – 29, 2024
Serving, empowering and advocating for equity in St. Louis since 1928
Vol. 96 No. 7 COMPLIMENTARY
stlamerican.com
Conversation with County Prosecutor Wesley Bell
Hearing that could free Dunn underway His murder conviction challenged
“There’s a clear distinction between myself and other candidates in this race.”
By Rachel Lippmann St. Louis Public Radio Four years after a court ruled he was likely innocent, Christopher Dunn is getting a chance to be freed. St. Louis Circuit Judge Jason Sengheiser began taking testimony Tuesday May 21, 2024, in a hearing on a motion to vacate Dunn’s conviction in the May 1990 murder of Ricco Rogers. Dunn is serving a life sentence, but two adolescent eyewitnesses have recanted, and prosecutors now say they no longer believe Dunn is guilty. “The fact of the matter is, no one saw the shooter of Ricco Rogers,” Special Assistant Circuit Attorney Booker Shaw told the court in his opening statement. “The only witnesses
See DUNN, A6
By Sylvester Brown Jr. The St. Louis American
Courtesy photo
Christopher Dunn, right, listens to his attorney Justin Bonus during the first day of his hearing to decide whether to vacate his murder conviction on Tuesday at the Carnahan Courthouse.
The 1995 OJ Simpson trial had a huge impact on the American psyche. While some convinced of Simpson’s guilt were appalled by the “not guilty” verdict, others celebrated the outcome of a case they believed was manipulated by controversial police conduct. St. Louis County Prosecutor, Wesley Bell, who was 21 at the time, focused on something entirely unrelated. In a recent conversation with the St. Louis American, Bell said he noted something with the trial that changed the trajectory of his life. An imbalance in the nation’s criminal justice system. In brief, he recognized that Wesley Bell those with money and resources can get a kind of “justice” most Americans are rarely afforded. A year after the murder of 18-yearold Mike Brown by a Ferguson police officer in 2014. Bell ran and was elected to the Ferguson city council. He was in that position as the nation scrutinized Ferguson and some of the other 88 county municipalities that used local police to punish and profit off mostly poor people. He said he’s proud to have been among the individuals who worked to clean up corrupt bureaucracies in the county. Though few knew his name in the
See BELL, A7
A healthy day in May
Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American
Poll: Biden has overwhelming Black support
Against the backdrop of St. Louis skyscrapers, the Annie Malone Children and Family Services float drew cheers from the huge crowd lining Market Street during the 114th Annie Malone May Day Parade. Performers, bands, and celebrities marched down the parade route, which is the largest fundraiser for Annie Malone Children and Family Services which serves nearly 500 children and parents annually. The 2024 theme was “Connecting Physical Health to Mental Health,” and Kendra Holmes, Affinia Healthcare president and CEO, served as grand marshal.
City again secures right to control SLMPD A win for Mayor Jones, police chief By Alvin A. Reid St. Louis American Republicans hold super-majorities in both the House and Senate of the Missouri legislature, yet they huffed and puffed failed to blow down many houses they set as targets. Confident that control of the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department could be seized from city voters, GOP legislative members paraded representatives of the Ethical Society of Police through the Capital during the session.
BUSINESS
However, ESOP’s puzzling relationship with conservative lawmakers blew up in the organization’s face when a vote on the issue or floor debate never occurred. It was the second time Mayor Tishaura Jones and city officials, including Police Chief Robert Tracy, turned back the antebellum antics of Republicans, that were backed by ESOP, an organization originally founded to support Black police officers and staff. “The Missouri State legislature has ended its 2024 legislative session, and the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department remains under local control,” Jones said in a statement. “This legislation would have put SLMPD under the control of a corrupt, Confederate-era state board that would
NNPA Newswire President Joe Biden continues to enjoy staunch support within the Black community. A Pew Research Center released Monday, “An Early Look at Black Voters’ Views on Biden, Trump, and Election 2024,” highlighted this trend, showing that a majority of Black voters believe Biden possesses the qualities needed for another term. The study revealed that 77% of Black registered voters prefer Biden over Trump. However, researchers noted, “Biden’s advantage among this group is not as wide as it was four years ago,” an indication of a slight erosion of support. The study also revealed that 83%
See BIDEN, A6
See CITY, A6 SPORTS
Carver Urban Farming project sprouts at Urban League
Cardinal Ritter girls seek fourth straight state title
The Urban League recently celebrated the opening of its greenhouse and hydroponic units, which are key to the organization’s commitment to community empowerment.
The Lions, who have won three consecutive state championships, will be bringing another loaded squad back to the Class 5 state championships at Jefferson City High.
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