JULIAN ROWLAND Missouri Cases

Julian Rowland sought post-conviction relief, alleging ineffective assistance of trial counsel for failing to call a witness, Alicia Toothman, who could have corroborated his defense of a consensual sexual encounter. The motion court granted relief, finding counsel's failure was not reasonable trial strategy and prejudiced Rowland. The State appealed, challenging the motion court's findings regarding Toothman's willingness to testify, the reasonableness of trial strategy, and the prejudice to Rowland. The appellate court affirmed the motion court's judgment, deferring to its factual findings and credibility determinations.