Missouri Court of Appeals, Southern District / Sep 12, 2024
STATE OF MISSOURI, Plaintiff-Respondent vs. STEVEN A. BENFORD, Defendant-Appellant
Steven A. Benford appealed his conviction for unlawful possession of a firearm, among other charges, from the Circuit Court of Greene County. He argued there was insufficient evidence to prove the weapon found in his possession was a "firearm" as defined by statute. The appellate court affirmed the judgment, holding that the testimony of experienced police officers identifying the weapon as a 9-millimeter Taurus PT111 handgun, along with its admission as an exhibit, constituted sufficient evidence for a reasonable fact-finder.