State v. Campbell

KAROHL, Judge.

Defendant appeals after being found guilty of second degree murder, § 565.021.1 RSMo 1986, and armed criminal action, § 571.015.1 RSMo 1986. The court imposed sentences of twenty and ten years. Defendant claims the trial court erred in ruling he placed his character at issue when he testified and explained why he disposed of a gun. He said, “I panicked. Never been in trouble before.” Additionally, defendant claims the trial court should have submitted the reputation instruction, MAI-CR3d 310.40, sua sponte if, in fact, his character was placed at issue. We affirm.

The evidence…