In the Matter of the Care and Treatment of Ronald White, A/K/A Ronald L. White Missouri Cases

Ronald White was involuntarily committed as a Sexually Violent Predator (SVP) following a jury trial. On appeal, White argued that the trial court erred by not granting a limiting instruction regarding hearsay evidence relied upon by the State's experts, and by denying his motion for a directed verdict due to insufficient evidence. White also claimed ineffective assistance of counsel for failing to call an expert witness and for eliciting damaging testimony during cross-examination. The appellate court affirmed the commitment, finding no error in the trial court's rulings and concluding that White failed to demonstrate prejudice from his counsel's performance.