Clayton v. State

PATRICIA L. COHEN, Presiding Judge.

Introduction

Rodney Clayton (“Movant”) appeals from the judgment of the circuit court denying his post-conviction motion for DNA testing -without an evidentiary hearing. Because we hold that the motion court clearly erred when it failed to issue findings of fact and conclusions of law, we reverse and remand.

Statement of the Facts and Proceedings Below

On the morning of May 13, 1990, the owner of a vacant tavern discovered the body of Norma Graves (“Victim”), a woman who had been living in the apartment above the tavern, nude from the waist down, with blood…