A Measure of Justice in St. Louis as Stephan Cannon Is Found Guilty in Murder of Captain David Dorn

One of the most tragic moments from the BLM riots in the summer of 2020 was the murder of retired St. Louis police captain David Dorn. As we reported at the time:

Retired St. Louis police captain David Dorn, 77, was murdered by looters defending the pawn shop of a friend in St. Louis.

From the St. Louis Dispatch:

The Ethical Society of Police, which represents black officers in St. Louis, mourned Dorn as “the type of brother that would’ve given his life to save them if he had to.”

Flowers and a teddy bear sat outside the shop next to a handwritten sign that read, “Y’all killed a black man because ‘they’ killed a black man??? Rest in peace.”

Diane Davis knew Dorn and brought the flowers Tuesday. She said he was like a father to many.

“He was a kind man, he was a great man, he is a missed man,” she said.

He served for 38 years. Tim Fitch, the former St. Louis County police chief, praised Dorn as a “true public servant.” His wife, Ann, is a sergeant with the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department.

What made it even worse was that his murder was filmed on Facebook Live, with a young man pleading with him on the sidewalk not to die and then chastising the looters that they would kill him just to steal some TVs.

While the murder shook St. Louisans to the core, we noted at the time the reluctance of the national news media to cover the story.

Captain Dorn’s widow, Ann, delivered a moving speech at the RNC Convention in August of 2020.

Absolutely gut-wrenching moment from David Dorn’s wife, Ann:

“Looters were ransacking the shop. They shot and killed David in cold blood, and then live-streamed his execution and last moments on Earth… I relive that horror in my mind every day.”

I’ll never forget this speech. pic.twitter.com/C1e6eO6U2O

— Caleb Hull (@CalebJHull) August 28, 2020

Shortly thereafter, I had the privilege of attending a March for Peace, hosted by Ann Dorn in St. Louis.

pic.twitter.com/p8xIqmW9RW

— Susie Moore (@SmoosieQ) August 30, 2020

Now, finally, a measure of justice has been delivered for that awful crime. On Wednesday, a St. Louis jury found Stephan Cannon guilty of David Dorn’s murder. Per Fox2Now:

Cannon was found guilty Wednesday on charges of first-degree murder, first-degree robbery, first-degree burglary, and three counts of armed criminal action. He is scheduled to be sentenced in the case on the morning of September 13.

Defense attorney Brian Horneyer said he will file an appeal on behalf of his client. If that is denied at the time of sentencing, he plans to seek a retrial.

…

Cannon, a Glasgow Village resident, was arrested just days later and charged with Dorn’s murder. A second man, Mark Jackson, was charged with second-degree murder, first-degree robbery, first-degree burglary, stealing $750 or more, and three counts of armed criminal action. At least four other people have been charged in connection with looting the business.

A jury of nine women and three men began deliberations shortly after 12: 35 p.m. Both the defense and prosecution agreed to pull one of the male jurors in favor of a female alternate for unspecified concerns.

A charge of stealing $750 or more was dropped against Cannon during a recess earlier in the morning, and jurors were notified of the change when they received instructions from the judge.

The jury returned its verdict just before 3: 45 p.m.

Following the verdict, Ann Dorn and two of Captain Dorn’s daughters shared their feelings on the verdict outside the courthouse.