Missouri Court of Appeals, Southern District / Jan 3, 2024
STATE OF MISSOURI, Plaintiff-Respondent vs. CHRISTOPHER BROCK MANUEL, Defendant-Appellant
Christopher Brock Manuel was convicted of second-degree murder and armed criminal action following a bench trial. On appeal, Manuel argued the trial court erred by admitting recorded jail calls between him and his ex-girlfriend, claiming they were irrelevant and unduly prejudicial. The Southern District of Missouri Court of Appeals affirmed the conviction, holding that the phone calls were both logically and legally relevant to establish Manuel's involvement, motive, and consciousness of guilt, and that no prejudice resulted in the bench-tried case.