Missouri Court of Appeals, Eastern District / Jun 17, 2025
James Marshall Scott, Appellant, vs. State of Missouri, Respondent.
James Marshall Scott appealed the denial of his Rule 29.15 motion for post-conviction relief. Scott's appointed counsel filed an amended motion beyond the mandatory deadline, but the motion court considered it and denied relief without first conducting an abandonment inquiry. The appellate court reversed and remanded, holding that the motion court was required to conduct an independent inquiry into the reason for the untimely filing to determine if counsel abandoned Scott before considering the merits of the amended motion.