Case ID: sw3d_463/html/0831-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "PER CURIAM:", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

Ralph L. WILLIS, Appellant, v. STATE of Missouri, Respondent.
    WD 77438
    Missouri Court of Appeals, Western District.
    FILED: June 16, 2015
    Susan L. Hogan, KCMO for appellant.
    Mary H. Moore, Jefferson City for respondent.
    Before Division Four: Alok Ahuja, C.J., and Joseph M. Ellis and Anthony Rex Gabbert, JJ.
   ORDER

PER CURIAM:

Following a jury trial, Ralph Willis was convicted in 2010 in the Circuit Court of Jackson County of second-degree (felony) murder, first-degree endangering the welfare of a child, and child abuse. The charges stemmed from the death of a six-month-old infant in his care. Willis filed a motion for post-conviction relief under Supreme Court Rule 29.15. The motion alleged that Willis’ trial counsel was ineffective for withdrawing a motion in limine, which had sought to exclude evidence that the deceased infant had experienced previous injuries. The circuit court denied Willis’ motion following an evidentiary hearing. We affirm. Because a published opinion would have no precedential value, an unpublished memorandum setting forth the reasons for this order has been provided to the parties. Rule 84.16(b).