Missouri Court of Appeals, Eastern District / Nov 26, 2024
State of Missouri, Respondent, v. Javontea Jones, Appellant.
Javontea Jones was found guilty by a jury of felony possession of an unlawful item at a prison. On appeal, Jones claimed the circuit court plainly erred in finding that he waived his right to testify due to his disruptive behavior during trial. The appellate court affirmed the judgment, holding that Jones forfeited his right to testify through his disruptive and defiant conduct, and his general assertions of rights lacked the required specificity for preservation.