Relief Denied For In-Court Murder

The Missouri Supreme Court has affirmed the denial of post-conviction relief to a man sentenced to death for the murder of his wife during a circuit court hearing regarding the dissolution of the marriage.

The petitioner secretly brought two handguns to the hearing in a briefcase. He opened fire during the hearing. His wife was killed. He wounded his attorney and his wife’s attorney, a bailiff and a security guard. He shot at the judge, an investigator for the county prosecutors, and three police officers. They returned fire and hit him nine times, including two in the head.

He was convicted of murder and sought review on claims of ineffective assistance of counsel after the conviction was affirmed.

He is facing a death sentence. (Mike Frisch)