Giordanio A. Blackburn v. State of Missouri

Introduction

Giordanio Blackburn (Movant) appeals the judgment entered by the Circuit Court of St. Louis County denying his amended Rule 29.15 .motion without an evidentiary hearing. Movant contends that trial counsel was ineffective in failing to: (1) request a mistrial or jury instruction following the prosecutor’s statements during closing argument; and (2) develop a consistent theory regarding a witness’s testimony. We reverse the motion court’s judgment and remand to the motion court for an independent inquiry into whether Movant was abandoned by post-conviction counsel and further…