John M. Hamm Missouri Cases

John Hamm appealed his convictions for first-degree murder and armed criminal action, arguing the trial court erred by not instructing the jury on voluntary manslaughter, improperly admitting cell phone records, and imposing unlawful life sentences for armed criminal action. The appellate court affirmed the judgment. It held that no prejudice resulted from the lack of a voluntary manslaughter instruction because the jury found deliberation for first-degree murder. The court also found the cell phone records were properly admitted as computer-generated evidence not subject to hearsay or Confrontation Clause challenges, and that life sentences for armed criminal action were authorized by statute.