Merrick v. State

DANIEL E. SCOTT, Chief Judge.

The error here permits us to be brief. James Merrick (Movant) was found guilty of two felonies and lost his direct appeal. State v. Merrick, 257 S.W.3d 676 (Mo.App.2008). He sought Rule 29.15 1 post-conviction relief, claiming his trial counsel was ineffective in 12 respects. The motion court held an evidentiary hearing, denied relief, but did not issue findings of fact or conclusions of law adequate for appellate review. We remand per Movant’s Point I and these oft-cited principles:

Rule 29.15(j) mandates that a post-conviction court issue findings of fact and…