Missouri Court of Appeals, Southern District / Aug 10, 2023
RANDALL OWENS, Movant-Appellant v. STATE OF MISSOURI, Respondent-Respondent
Randall Owens appealed the denial of his Rule 29.15 motion for post-conviction relief, which alleged ineffective assistance of trial counsel after his convictions for assault and unlawful use of a weapon. The appellate court determined that Owens' appointed counsel filed the amended post-conviction motion one day late, creating a presumption of abandonment. Consequently, the court vacated the motion court's order and remanded the case with instructions for the motion court to conduct an inquiry into whether Owens was abandoned by his counsel.