Missouri Court of Appeals, Eastern District / Dec 26, 2023
Adrian R. Washington, Appellant, vs. State of Missouri, Respondent.
Adrian R. Washington appealed the motion court's denial of his Rule 29.15 motion for post-conviction relief, alleging ineffective assistance of trial counsel during his trial for murder, robbery, and other charges. Washington argued counsel was ineffective for failing to introduce evidence regarding a victim's cell phone and DNA, and for introducing prior arrest photographs. The Eastern District of the Missouri Court of Appeals affirmed the motion court's judgment, concluding that trial counsel's challenged actions constituted reasonable trial strategy under the Strickland standard.