Missouri Court of Appeals, Western District / Sep 7, 2021
In the Matter of the Care and Treatment of Pete Wright vs. State of Missouri
Pete Wright appealed his civil commitment as a Sexually Violent Predator (SVP) under sections 632.480 through 632.525, RSMo, arguing the probate court erred by allowing him to represent himself at the commitment trial. The State had sought his commitment based on a prior conviction for forcible sodomy. The appellate court affirmed the judgment, holding that the probate court properly found Wright's waiver of counsel to be timely, unequivocal, knowing, and intelligent, and that he was competent to represent himself.