Missouri Court of Appeals, Eastern District / Nov 21, 2023
Kavion L. Thomas, Appellant, vs. State of Missouri, Respondent.
Kavion Thomas appealed the denial of his Rule 29.15 motion for post-conviction relief after an evidentiary hearing. Thomas claimed his trial counsel was ineffective for failing to object to a detective's testimony referring to a "wife beater" tank top found at the crime scene and for advising him to waive his right to jury sentencing. The appellate court affirmed the motion court's denial, finding that counsel's decision not to object was reasonable trial strategy and that Thomas's waiver of jury sentencing was knowing, voluntary, and intelligent.