State of Missouri v. Tony Ray King

Tony Ray King appeals his convictions, following a jury trial, for murder in the first degree (§ 565.020), 1 child abuse in the first degree (§ 568.060), and arson in the second degree (§ 569.050). We affirm the circuit court’s judgment.

Background

In January 2012, King was charged as a prior and persistent offender with first-degree murder, felony child abuse, and second-degree arson. The State alleged (1) that on January 10, 2012, King had caused the death of his seven-year-old son (herein referred to as “Son”) by strangling or choking him, (2) that between November 16, 2011, and January 10,…