Ezell Roberts v. State of Missouri

Introduction

Ezell Roberts (Movant) appeals the judgment of the Circuit Court of St. Louis County denying, after an evidentiary hearing, his Rule 29.15 motion for post-conviction relief. We reverse and remand for an inquiry into whether Movant was abandoned by post-conviction counsel.

Factual and Procedural Background

A jury convicted Movant of fifteen counts of statutory rape and statutory sodomy perpetrated against his step-daughter over the course of several years, beginning when she was nine years old. The trial court sentenced Movant to nine 30-year prison terms and six 7-year prison terms,…