Missouri Court of Appeals, Southern District / Aug 30, 2023
STATE OF MISSOURI, Plaintiff-Respondent vs. JOHN MARTIN HAMILTON, JR., Defendant-Appellant
John Martin Hamilton, Jr. appealed his conviction for tampering with a victim, arguing insufficient evidence because his estranged wife had an absolute right to spousal privilege, which he claimed negated an element of the offense. The appellate court affirmed the conviction. It held that the tampering statute only requires an attempt to prevent or dissuade a victim from assisting in prosecution, and offering money to drop charges satisfies this, irrespective of spousal privilege.