Rodden v. State

HOLSTEIN, Judge.

Movant, James E. Rodden, was previously convicted of murder in the first degree and sentenced to death. State v. Rodden, 728 S.W.2d 212 (Mo. banc 1987). He now appeals from a denial of post-conviction relief under Rule 27.26.1 We affirm.

A more detailed account of the facts may be found in the direct appeal. The only facts recited here are those necessary to a discussion of the issues raised.

Terry Trunnel was brutally assaulted, tortured, murdered, and mutilated. Mov-ant not only stabbed the victim many times, but one severe cut from a butcher knife pierced her arm and broke…