Christopher B. Buechting Missouri Cases

Christopher B. Buechting appealed his conviction for second-degree murder, challenging the admission of hearsay statements under the forfeiture by wrongdoing doctrine and testimony regarding prior acts of abuse. The appellate court found the trial court erred by admitting the victim's hearsay statements without finding the defendant intended to prevent the victim from testifying, but concluded this error was not prejudicial due to overwhelming evidence of guilt. The court further found no abuse of discretion in admitting evidence of prior abuse, as the defendant opened the door to such testimony by denying culpability and presenting a theory of victim self-harm. The judgment of the trial court was affirmed.