Pearson v. State

THOMAS H. NEWTON, Chief Judge.

The State appeals the circuit court’s judgment granting Clifford Pearson’s Rule 29.15 post-conviction relief motion based on ineffective assistance of counsel. The motion court concluded that James v. State, 222 S.W.3d 302 (Mo.App. W.D.2007) required reversal of Mr. Pearson’s conviction. Because the analysis in James does not apply to Mr. Pearson’s case, the judgment is reversed.

Factual and Procedural Background

Ronald Shannon was found dead in his apartment with multiple blunt and sharp force injuries. A bloody kitchen knife and multiple bloodstains were also…