Man Charged with Murder of Retired Police Captain David Dorn Should Have Been in Jail

David Dorn’s story tugged at the heartstrings of Americans all over the country. The 77-year-old man was a leader in his community and a retired police captain who served 38 years in the St. Louis Police Department. On June, 2nd, looters and rioters took over the City of St. Louis, and Dorn went out into the chaos to help protect the small business that his friend owned. 

Tragically, violent thugs thought that stealing a TV was more important than Dorn’s life, and he was shot and killed outside the store. What makes this story even more heartbreaking is that bystanders broadcasted the killing on social media instead of helping Captain Dorn.

Thanks to the diligent work of St. Louis Law enforcement, Dorn’s killer, Stephan Cannon, was arrested and charged with murder this week.

Worst of all, Cannon has a history of violently terrorizing his community. In 2013, he pled guilty to first-degree assault and second-degree robbery after he was part of an armed posse that viciously beat a man and stole the victim’s phone.

Cannon was shockingly allowed to avoid jail altogether and was handed five years of probation with a possibility of seven years in jail if he violated the court’s orders.

In 2018, a probation violation was filed against Cannon, but a judge refused to jail him, and instead allowed him to continue to serve his probation as a free man. 

Cannon should have been serving a prison sentence on the night he killed David Dorn. The criminal justice system continues to fail us in Missouri as violent felons are repeatedly released onto the street to victimize our communities.

David Dorn’s life mattered, and his legacy will live on.It’s time that we start asking the tough questions of our court system, and elected officials. In honor of David Dorn’s life and countless others, Liberty Alliance is supporting Senate Bill 600. This legislation targets the most violent felons in Missouri and ensures violent criminals are behind bars. Missourians deserve better

Liberty Alliance will always fight for the rule of law and we will continue to update you as this story develops.