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In the Dark
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.
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.
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.
Hunter Hart for APM Reports
Judge Joey Loper takes the bench.
Hunter Hart for APM Reports
Friends and family of the four victims pack the benches behind the prosecutor.
Rogelio V. Solis | AP
Flowers' lead attorney, Rob McDuff, presents his hefty motion for bail.
Hunter Hart for APM Reports
McDuff argues his motion before Judge Loper.
Hunter Hart for APM Reports
Assistant District Attorney Adam Hopper, sent in place of his boss, District Attorney Doug Evans, looks on.
Hunter Hart for APM Reports
Hopper opposes Flowers' release.
Hunter Hart for APM Reports
Flowers leaves the courtroom following arguments for a brief recess during which Loper prepares his ruling.
Hunter Hart for APM Reports
Flowers' defense lawyers, Henderson Hill and McDuff, confer during the court's recess.
Hunter Hart for APM Reports
Flowers re-enters the courtroom to hear the judge's ruling.
Hunter Hart for APM Reports
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
Flowers' father, Archie Flowers, in the glare of television news cameras following the ruling.
Hunter Hart for APM Reports
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
Ghoston, right, and Flowers' granddaughter Ariel Blackmon, 2, rejoice outside the courthouse.
Rogelio V. Solis | AP
Rev. Nelson Forrest, Flowers' relative, after the hearing.
Hunter Hart for APM Reports
Defense attorney Hill addresses the news media.
Hunter Hart for APM Reports
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 gather over the Winston-Choctaw County Regional Correctional Facility, where Flowers was transferred in September from death row.
Hunter Hart for APM Reports
Flowers' defense team and relatives arrive at the jail in anticipation of his release.
Hunter Hart for APM Reports
Flowers gives his first news interview just moments after he's freed.
Hunter Hart for APM Reports
