Missouri Court of Appeals, Eastern District / May 7, 2024
Jeffrey J. Deleon, Appellant, v. State of Missouri, Respondent.
Jeffrey J. DeLeon appealed the denial of his Rule 29.15 motion for post-conviction relief, arguing his trial counsel was ineffective for failing to consult and call independent DNA and pharmacological experts. DeLeon was convicted of attempted first-degree sodomy. The appellate court affirmed the motion court's judgment, finding no prejudice from counsel's actions. The court concluded that the DNA secondary transfer theory was conjectural and there was overwhelming evidence of guilt, and the pharmacological expert's testimony was too speculative to provide a viable defense.