Missouri Court of Appeals, Southern District / May 24, 2019
RYAN N. EVANS, Movant-Appellant v. STATE OF MISSOURI, Respondent-Respondent
Ryan Evans appealed the denial of his Rule 29.15 motion to set aside convictions for child abuse and felony murder, claiming ineffective assistance of trial counsel. Evans argued his counsel was ineffective for failing to object to an autopsy doctor's testimony, alleging the doctor was statutorily unqualified. The motion court denied relief, finding counsel's decision was reasonable trial strategy and the objection would have been non-meritorious. The appellate court affirmed, concluding the motion court's decision was not clearly erroneous.