State v. Higginbotham

GARY M. GAERTNER, Judge.

Defendant, Raymond Higginbotham, appeals his convictions by a jury for second degree murder, in violation of RSMo § 565.021 (1986), and for armed criminal action, in violation of RSMo § 571.015 (1986). He was sentenced to twenty-five years imprisonment for second degree murder and five years imprisonment for armed criminal action, to be served consecutively. Defendant alleges three claims of error on appeal. Defendant argues the trial court erred in finding that he failed to prove a prima facie case of purposeful discrimination under Batson in the State’s use of its…