Missouri Court of Appeals, Southern District / Apr 29, 2020
MELISSA YOUNGBLOOD, Appellant vs. STATE OF MISSOURI, Respondent
Melissa Youngblood appealed the denial of her Rule 29.15 motion to set aside her convictions for two counts of first-degree murder. She argued that the motion court erred by denying her claims that she was visibly shackled during trial and that her defense counsel was ineffective for failing to cross-examine a witness. The appellate court affirmed the motion court's judgment, concluding that the shackling claim was not cognizable in a post-conviction motion and that counsel's strategic decision regarding cross-examination did not constitute ineffective assistance.