Missouri Court of Appeals, Southern District / Jan 31, 2024
THOMAS E. ELSTON, Appellant vs. STATE OF MISSOURI, Respondent
Thomas Elston appealed the motion court's amended order denying his Rule 24.035 motion for post-conviction relief. The motion court's original order addressed only one of Elston's claims, and its amended order, while purporting to deny the motion in its entirety, failed to include specific findings of fact and conclusions of law for the second claim, as required by Rule 24.035(j). The appellate court reversed the amended order and remanded the case, holding that the absence of the required findings and conclusions mandated reversal.