Paul C. White, Movant/Appellant v. State of Missouri

OPINION

Mary K. Hoff, Judge

Paul C. White (“Movant”) appeals from the motion court’s entry of judgment denying, after an evidentiary hearing, his amended Rule 29.15 motion for post-conviction relief. Because the motion court did not conduct an independent abandonment inquiry, we reverse and remand.

Procedural Background

After a 2012 jury trial, Movant was found guilty of first-degree murder (in vio lation of Section 565.020, RSMo 2000 1 ) and one count of first-degree robbery (Section 569.020). On September 17, 2012, the trial court sentenced Movant, as a prior offender, to consecutive life…