Case Name: Maurice D. ROBERTS, Appellant, v. STATE of Missouri, Respondent
Court: Missouri Court of Appeals
Jurisdiction: Missouri
Decision Date: 2008-07-22
Citations: 257 S.W.3d 666
Docket Number: No. WD 68555
Parties: Maurice D. ROBERTS, Appellant, v. STATE of Missouri, Respondent.
Judges: Before DIV IV: HOWARD, C.J., LOWENSTEIN and SMART, JJ.
Reporter: South Western Reporter Third Series
Volume: 257
Pages: 666–667

Head Matter:
Maurice D. ROBERTS, Appellant, v. STATE of Missouri, Respondent.
No. WD 68555.
Missouri Court of Appeals, Western District.
July 22, 2008.
Mark A. Grothoff, Esq., Columbia, MO, for appellant.
Shaun J. Mackelprang, Esq., and Joshua N. Corman, Esq., Jefferson City, MO, for respondent.
Before DIV IV: HOWARD, C.J., LOWENSTEIN and SMART, JJ.

Opinion:
ORDER
PER CURIAM.
Maurice Roberts appeals the denial of his Rule 29.15 motion after an evidentiary hearing. Roberts's claim of ineffective assistance of appellate counsel was not raised in his pleadings seeking post-conviction relief. Accordingly, this claim is not properly before this court and denied. Roberts's claim that his trial counsel was ineffective for failing to conduct an adequate investigation and failing to prepare for trial, thereby forcing Roberts to waive his right to counsel and proceed to trial pro se, is belied by the record. The record indicates that Roberts's own actions impeded his trial counsel's ability to conduct a reasonable investigation. The findings and conclusions of the motion court deny ing relief are not clearly erroneous. Judgment affirmed. Rule 84.16(b).