State v. Wells

BLACKMAR, Chief Justice.

The defendant was convicted of first degree murder and, in accordance with the jury’s verdict, was sentenced to death. He was also convicted of armed criminal action and sentenced to life imprisonment. The appeal was held in abeyance pending proceedings under Rule 29.15, which were heard by the judge who presided at the trial. The judge found that the allegations of ineffective assistance of counsel set forth in the defendant’s pro se 29.15 motion were well taken, and ordered a new trial. 1 The state appealed from this order and, in accordance with Rule 29.15, the two…