Missouri Court of Appeals, Southern District / May 15, 2020
State of Missouri, Plaintiff-Respondent v. Christopher L. Paschall, Defendant-Appellant
Christopher L. Paschall appealed his convictions for first-degree murder, armed criminal action, and parental kidnapping, arguing the trial court erred by admitting testimony from two witnesses identifying him as the shooter. Paschall contended these statements were inadmissible hearsay and did not qualify as dying declarations. The appellate court affirmed the judgment, holding that the trial court did not abuse its discretion in admitting the statements, as the surrounding circumstances provided sufficient evidence to infer the declarant believed death was imminent.