Timothy Perkins Missouri Cases

Timothy Perkins appealed the denial of his Rule 29.15 motion for post-conviction relief, arguing his trial counsel was ineffective for failing to impeach the victim about alleged habits of stealing and lying in his statutory sodomy trial. The motion court denied relief, finding counsel's decision was reasonable trial strategy. The appellate court affirmed, concluding that counsel's choice not to pursue that specific line of questioning was a reasonable strategic decision, especially given the trial court's prior rulings and counsel's alternative methods of challenging credibility.

Timothy Perkins was convicted of two counts of statutory sodomy in the first degree and sentenced to 20 years imprisonment. On appeal, Perkins raised ten points, primarily challenging the trial court's exclusion of evidence related to the victim's mother's physical abuse and drug habit, as well as rulings on closing arguments and the admission of hearsay. The Eastern District of the Missouri Court of Appeals affirmed the judgment, finding no abuse of discretion in the trial court's evidentiary rulings or control of closing arguments, and no plain error or cumulative error warranting reversal.