Missouri Court of Appeals, Southern District / Jul 10, 2023
TOMMY R. MORRIS, Plaintiff-Appellant v. STATE OF MISSOURI, Respondent-Respondent
Tommy R. Morris appealed the denial of his Rule 29.15 motion for post-conviction relief, alleging ineffective assistance of trial counsel for failing to request a change of venue. The motion court denied the relief after an evidentiary hearing. The appellate court affirmed, concluding that the motion court did not clearly err in finding counsel's decision was objectively reasonable and that Morris failed to demonstrate prejudice, particularly given his waiver of a jury trial.