Pope v. State

LISA WHITE HARDWICK, Judge.

Jason Pope appeals the denial of his Rule 24.035 motion, asserting he was abandoned by postconviction counsel. Because the record facially indicates that appointed counsel’s inaction may have deprived Pope of meaningful review of his posteonvietion claims, we reverse and remand for further proceedings.

Procedural History

Jason Pope pled guilty to second-degree murder and armed criminal action and was sentenced to consecutive prison terms of thirty years and twenty years. Pope timely filed a pro se Rule 24.035 1 motion alleging ineffective assistance of his plea…