Missouri Court of Appeals, Southern District / Mar 15, 2019
WILLIAM E. COPHER, Movant-Appellant vs. STATE OF MISSOURI, Respondent-Respondent
William E. Copher appealed the motion court's denial of his Rule 29.15 motion for post-conviction relief, alleging ineffective assistance of trial counsel. Copher claimed his counsel was ineffective for advising him not to testify in his own defense during his criminal trial. The appellate court affirmed the motion court's judgment, concluding that trial counsel's advice was reasonable trial strategy and Copher failed to prove prejudice.