Goodwin v. State

WILLIAM RAY PRICE, JR., Judge.

I) Introduction

Paul Goodwin was sentenced to death for the murder of Mrs. Joan Crotts, a widow in her sixties. This Court upheld his conviction and sentence on direct appeal. State v. Goodwin, 43 S.W.3d 805 (Mo. banc 2001). The motion court denied post-conviction relief under Rule 29.15. Goodwin now appeals the motion court’s ruling. This Court affirms.

II) Factual Background

In the summer of 1996, Goodwin moved into a boardinghouse near North Hanley Road in St. Louis County. The boardinghouse was next door to Mrs. Joan Crotts’ home. Within a week or so of his…