Joseph Harden v. Michael Bowersox

COLLOTON, Circuit Judge.

The State of Missouri appeals the district court's grant of habeas corpus relief to Joseph Harden. Harden was convicted at a bench trial in Missouri state court of first-degree murder, first-degree robbery, and two counts of armed criminal action. The court sentenced him to life in prison. The Missouri Court of Appeals affirmed Harden's convictions on direct review, rejecting his claims of insufficient evidence. After exhausting remedies in state court, Harden petitioned for a writ of habeas corpus in the district court under 28 U.S.C. § 2254 . The district court…