Missouri Court of Appeals, Eastern District / Sep 19, 2023
Jonas Phillips, Appellant, v. State of Missouri, Respondent.
Jonas Phillips appealed the denial of his Rule 29.15 motion for postconviction relief, claiming ineffective assistance of trial counsel. He argued counsel was ineffective for failing to make an opening statement and for not cross-examining state witnesses about their motivation to lie. The appellate court affirmed the motion court's judgment, finding no clear error in denying relief. The court concluded Phillips failed to prove prejudice from the lack of an opening statement and that counsel had a reasonable strategic basis for limiting cross-examination.