Eric G. Hollowell Missouri Cases

Eric G. Hollowell appealed his conviction for 15 counts of unlawful possession of a firearm. The Missouri Supreme Court vacated the judgment and remanded for a new trial, finding that the circuit court committed reversible error by allowing a detective to testify about a non-testifying witness's out-of-court statement that directly implicated Hollowell. The Court held that this testimony went beyond explaining subsequent police conduct and prejudiced Hollowell, depriving him of a fair trial. The Court also affirmed that sufficient evidence existed to support the convictions (considering cross-examination testimony) and that separate convictions for each firearm do not violate double jeopardy.

Eric Hollowell appealed his convictions for fifteen counts of unlawful possession of a firearm, arguing the trial court erred by admitting inadmissible hearsay and that the evidence was insufficient to prove possession. The appellate court reversed, finding that the trial court abused its discretion by allowing a police officer to testify about the appellant's wife's out-of-court statement regarding firearm ownership, as it constituted prejudicial hearsay. Without this inadmissible evidence, the court concluded there was insufficient evidence to establish the appellant's constructive possession of the firearms. Consequently, the case was remanded with directions to enter a judgment of acquittal.