Missouri Court of Appeals, Eastern District / May 2, 2023
Paul E. Jinkerson, Jr., Appellant, v. State of Missouri, Respondent.
Paul Jinkerson Jr. appealed the denial of his Rule 29.15 motion for post-conviction relief, arguing that his trial counsel was ineffective for offering a jury instruction on the lesser included offense of involuntary manslaughter. Jinkerson contended that this instruction undermined his "all or nothing" defense and prejudiced him. The motion court denied his request, and the appellate court affirmed, finding that counsel's strategy was reasonable and Jinkerson failed to demonstrate prejudice.