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In the Dark

The day in photos: Curtis Flowers' release

The day in photos: Curtis Flowers' release
Curtis Flowers, Priscilla WardHunter Hart for APM Reports

Scenes from the extraordinary day the Mississippi man was freed on bail.

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December 22, 2019

On Dec. 16, the Curtis Flowers case took a dramatic turn. At a morning hearing, Mississippi Circuit Judge Joey Loper not only granted Flowers' request for bail, but in a stunning ruling from the bench, he picked apart the remaining evidence in the state's case. The judge also tore into District Attorney Doug Evans for not responding to motions and not showing up for the hearing. Loper — who presided over two of Flowers' six trials for the 1996 murders at the Tardy Furniture store in Winona — warned prosecutors that if they weren't more responsive, they would "reap the whirlwind."

Later that afternoon, Flowers was released from a local jail after posting bond. He's finally free, at least temporarily, after 23 years of continuous incarceration. Flowers may yet face a seventh trial, but the dynamics of the case have undoubtedly shifted. Below are images from the day Flowers was freed.

VIDEO   Watch bail arguments and Loper's ruling

 

Crowd files in, Montgomery County Courthouse
The crowd files into the Montgomery County Courthouse in Winona. Hunter Hart for APM Reports

 

Curtis Flowers enters the courtroom at 10:01 a.m.
Curtis Flowers enters the courtroom at 10:01 a.m. Hunter Hart for APM Reports

 

Judge Joey Loper enters the courtroom.
Judge Joey Loper takes the bench. Hunter Hart for APM Reports

 

Curtis Flowers bail hearing gallery
Friends and family of the four victims pack the benches behind the prosecutor. Rogelio V. Solis | AP

 

Defense attorney Rob McDuff
Flowers' lead attorney, Rob McDuff, presents his hefty motion for bail. Hunter Hart for APM Reports

 

McDuff, Loper
McDuff argues his motion before Judge Loper. Hunter Hart for APM Reports

 

Assistant District Attorney Adam Hopper
Assistant District Attorney Adam Hopper, sent in place of his boss, District Attorney Doug Evans, looks on. Hunter Hart for APM Reports

 

Assistant District Attorney Adam Hopper
Hopper opposes Flowers' release. Hunter Hart for APM Reports

 

Curtis Flowers leaves the courtroom.
Flowers leaves the courtroom following arguments for a brief recess during which Loper prepares his ruling. Hunter Hart for APM Reports

 

Henderson Hill, Rob McDuff
Flowers' defense lawyers, Henderson Hill and McDuff, confer during the court's recess. Hunter Hart for APM Reports

 

Curtis Flowers re-enters the courtroom
Flowers re-enters the courtroom to hear the judge's ruling. Hunter Hart for APM Reports

 

Crystal Ghoston, Monkra Moore
Flowers' daughter, Crystal Ghoston, and her relative, Monkra Moore, listen on as Loper grants bail in the amount of $250,000. Rogelio V. Solis | AP

 

Archie Flowers
Flowers' father, Archie Flowers, in the glare of television news cameras following the ruling. Hunter Hart for APM Reports

 

Doug Evans at a swearing-in ceremony
Evans at a swearing-in ceremony for newly elected officials in Grenada County, which he attended instead of the bail hearing. Evans recently won his eighth term as district attorney in an uncontested race. Submitted photo

 

Ariel Blackmon, Crystal Ghoston
Ghoston, right, and Flowers' granddaughter Ariel Blackmon, 2, rejoice outside the courthouse. Rogelio V. Solis | AP

 

Nelson Forrest
Rev. Nelson Forrest, Flowers' relative, after the hearing. Hunter Hart for APM Reports

 

Defense attorney Henderson Hill after the hearing.
Defense attorney Hill addresses the news media. Hunter Hart for APM Reports

 

Madeleine and Natalie interview Rob McDuff
In the Dark host Madeleine Baran and producer Natalie Jablonski interview McDuff and Flowers' sisters, Priscilla Ward and Charita Baskin, far left. Hunter Hart for APM Reports

 

Storm clouds over Winston County jail.
Storm clouds gather over the Winston-Choctaw County Regional Correctional Facility, where Flowers was transferred in September from death row. Hunter Hart for APM Reports

 

Rob McDuff arrives at the jail.
Flowers' defense team and relatives arrive at the jail in anticipation of his release. Hunter Hart for APM Reports

 

Curtis Flowers leaves the Winston County jail
Flowers gives his first news interview just moments after he's freed. Hunter Hart for APM Reports

 

 

UPDATES   All progress in the case since SCOTUS

The second season of the In the Dark podcast is about the case of Curtis Flowers, who was tried six times for the same crime. Learn more.
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