Lamar Johnson Missouri Cases

Lamar Johnson appealed the denial of his Rule 24.035 post-conviction relief motion, arguing the plea court lacked jurisdiction to revoke his probation because his probationary term had expired due to earned compliance credits. The motion court found that the plea court retained authority under section 559.036.8, RSMo, by manifesting intent to revoke and making reasonable efforts to conduct a hearing before expiration. The appellate court affirmed, agreeing that the plea court's actions, including issuing capias warrants, constituted affirmative manifestations of intent, and that reasonable efforts were made despite Johnson absconding.

Lamar Johnson appealed the circuit court's dismissal of a motion for a new trial, which was filed by the City of St. Louis Circuit Attorney decades after Johnson's 1995 murder conviction. The motion alleged newly discovered evidence and prosecutorial misconduct. The circuit court dismissed the motion, finding it lacked authority and was untimely. The Missouri Supreme Court dismissed Johnson's appeal, holding that there is no statutory authority for a defendant to appeal the dismissal of a motion for a new trial filed long after a criminal conviction became final.