State of Missouri v. Umar Muhammad

Umar Muhammad (“Muhammad”) appeals his convictions of second-degree murder, first-degree assault, and two counts of armed criminal action following a jury trial. Muhammad claims that errors during closing argument and in the admission of. evidence at trial made it less likely that the jury would accept his defense that he was not the shooter, an essential element of his crimes. Finding no error, we affirm.

Factual and Procedural Background

Muhammad does not challenge the sufficiency of the evidence to sustain his convictions. [Appellant’s Brief, p. 14, n. 5] That evidence, viewed in the light…