State of Missouri v. Anthony J. Stafford

In the Missouri Court of Appeals
Eastern District
DIVISION TWO
STATE OF MISSOURI, ) No. ED107031
)
Respondent, ) Appeal from the Circuit Court
) of the City of St. Louis
vs. )
) Honorable Christopher E. McGraugh
ANTHONY J. STAFFORD, )
)
Appellant. ) FILED: November 19, 2019
Introduction
Anthony J. Stafford (“Stafford”) appeals the trial court’s judgment following jury-trial
convictions for first-degree sodomy and third-degree domestic assault. Stafford raises three
points on appeal. Point One contends that the trial court erred in denying his motion for new
trial because the jury heard impermissible testimony from the victim (“Victim”) about uncharged
drug use by Stafford. Point Two avers that the trial court abused its discretion in denying his
motion for new trial on grounds that a juror failed to disclose that he knew Stafford and Victim.
Lastly, Point Three charges the trial court with plain error in sentencing Stafford as a prior
offender under Section 558.0161 because the State failed to present evidence establishing
Stafford’s prior conviction under Section 558.021. Because Stafford demonstrates no prejudice
or manifest injustice resulted from Victim’s references to Stafford’s drug use, we deny Point
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All Section references are to RSMo (2016), unless otherwise indicated.
One. Because Stafford introduced no evidence that juror nondisclosure occurred, we deny Point
Two. Although the trial court committed plain error in sentencing Stafford as a prior offender
under Section 558.016, Stafford has not met his burden of showing manifest injustice with
respect to the length of his sentence, jury-recommended sentencing, or parole eligibility.
Accordingly, we affirm the trial court’s judgment.
Factual and Procedural History
This case involves a domestic dispute between Stafford and Victim in which Stafford hit
Victim and sodomized her with a broom in June 2017. The State charged Stafford with one
count of sodomy in the first degree and two counts of domestic assault in the third degree. The
case proceeded to trial in June 2018.
At the beginning of the trial, Stafford filed a motion in limine to prevent Victim from
testifying about uncharged drug use by Stafford. The trial court sustained the motion. When
Victim took the stand, she made the following statements:
 “Sometimes we [Victim and Stafford] get up and just watch TV, smoke a
cigarette or get up and call and get high.”
 “I had went and sat on the love seat. That’s when [Stafford] had called
somebody and he made a call for—to get some drugs.”
 “I gave [Stafford] what I had got from being outside, and then both of us had
did some and then we sat there and he went upstairs.”
Stafford did not object to the first statement. Stafford objected to the second statement, and the
trial court sustained the objection. In its initial instructions to the jury, the trial court had
instructed the jury to disregard any evidence to which the trial court sustained an objection.
After the third statement, Stafford requested a sidebar conference outside the hearing of the jury
and objected to Victim’s repeated violations of the motion in limine. The trial court sustained
the objection and advised the State to lead the Victim through that portion of the testimony.
Stafford stated that if violations of the motion in limine continued, he would ask the trial court
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for a limiting instruction and to strike certain portions of the testimony. The trial court
concluded the sidebar, and the State resumed questioning Victim.
During the trial, Stafford adduced evidence that he could not have committed the charged
offenses due to his physical impairment from a prior injury, including his use of crutches to get
around. The State sought to rebut Stafford’s limited-mobility defense with testimony from
Victim that Stafford managed his mobility issues through use of illegal narcotics. Following
argument by both parties and over Stafford’s objection, the trial court ruled that Victim could not
testify that Stafford self-medicated with heroin but could testify that Stafford used “pain drugs.”
The State asked Victim if there were times when Stafford was able to be mobile and if pain drugs
allowed him to have that increased mobility, and Victim answered affirmatively. The State
repeated this testimony in its closing argument.
The jury found Stafford guilty on all charges. Stafford moved for a new trial on several
grounds, including Victim’s testimony about uncharged drug use as well as juror nondisclosure.
Regarding juror nondisclosure, Stafford alleged that the juror who occupied seat twelve and who
identified himself during voir dire as working part-time at a pawnshop (“Juror”) did not disclose
that he knew Stafford and Victim from having encountered them at the pawnshop. No affidavit
was attached to Stafford’s motion. At the motion hearing, Stafford did not take the stand or
present other evidence. Stafford argued that he recalled after trial that he knew the Juror prior to
being incarcerated because on multiple occasions he had gone to the pawnshop where Juror
worked. Stafford further argued that Juror knew him by name and would refer to him as “Mr.
Stafford.” The State disputed Stafford’s allegation of juror nondisclosure. The trial court denied
juror nondisclosure as a basis for retrial. The trial court explained that it was proceeding on the
assumption that Juror was in fact the same individual with whom Stafford had contact at the
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pawnshop, even though no venireperson had indicated knowing Stafford or Victim. The trial
court found no basis to believe that Juror intentionally withheld information or that Stafford was
prejudiced, commenting that Juror likely did not recognize Stafford in the courtroom setting and,
if he did, he might have had a favorable impression of Stafford.
At Stafford’s sentencing, the State did not file a sentence assessment report or introduce
evidence of Stafford’s prior conviction, which the indictment alleged involved Stafford pleading
guilty to second-degree drug trafficking on July 25, 2000. Stafford stated that the prior
conviction was for a drug-related offense occurring approximately eighteen years earlier.
Stafford did not object when the sentencing court asked whether there was any reason not to
proceed with sentencing. The trial court sentenced Stafford to seven years in prison for first-
degree sodomy to run consecutively with concurrent three-year sentences for each of the two
counts of third-degree domestic assault. The written sentence and judgment reflects that Stafford
was sentenced as a prior offender under Section 558.016. Stafford now appeals.
Points on Appeal
Stafford raises three points on appeal. In Point One, Stafford argues that the trial court
erred in denying his motion for new trial because Victim improperly testified about Stafford’s
uncharged drug use. In Point Two, Stafford claims that the trial court erred in denying his
motion for new trial because Juror failed to disclose knowing Stafford and Victim. Lastly, in
Point Three, Stafford contends the trial court plainly erred in sentencing Stafford as a prior
offender because the State failed to establish Stafford’s prior-offender status under Section
558.021.
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Standard of Review
We review a trial court’s decision whether to grant a new trial on the basis of evidence
admissibility or juror misconduct for an abuse of discretion. See State v. Forrest, 183 S.W.3d
218, 223, 231 (Mo. banc 2006). Under the abuse-of-discretion standard, we examine the trial
court’s ruling “for prejudice, not mere error, and will reverse only if the error was so prejudicial
that it deprived the defendant of a fair trial.” Id. at 223–24 (internal citation omitted). We
presume that the trial court’s denial of a motion for new trial is correct and will reverse only
“when a ruling is clearly against the logic of the circumstances then before the court and is so
arbitrary and unreasonable as to shock the sense of justice and indicate a lack of careful
consideration.” State v. Hill, 412 S.W.3d 281, 284 (Mo. App. E.D. 2013) (internal quotation
omitted).
Additionally, we review any unpreserved issue for plain error, “which requires a finding
that manifest injustice or miscarriage of justice has resulted from the trial court error.” State v.
Johnson, 207 S.W.3d 24, 34 (Mo. banc 2006) (internal citation omitted). The defendant bears
the burden of establishing manifest injustice under the facts and circumstances of the case. Id. at
49 (internal citation omitted). Specifically, the defendant must show that “there is a sound,
substantial manifestation, a strong, clear showing, that injustice or miscarriage of justice will
result if relief is not given.” Id. (internal quotation omitted).
Discussion
I. Point One—Uncharged Drug Use
In Point One, Stafford asserts that the trial court erred in denying his motion for a new
trial because Victim improperly testified about Stafford’s uncharged drug use. Stafford
challenges four instances of drug-related testimony. In the first three statements, Victim testified
that; (1) she and Stafford “get up and call and get high” on a typical morning; (2) Stafford made
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and call and directed her to “get some drugs;” and, (3) she and Stafford “did some” drugs on the
day of the incident. In the fourth statement, Victim answered affirmatively when the State asked
her if Stafford ever used “pain drugs” to manage his physical mobility issues. We address the
first three statements together and address the fourth statement separately.
A. Victim’s References to Stafford’s Drug Use
1. Preservation
Before Victim testified, the trial court granted Stafford’s motion in limine to exclude any
testimony relating to Stafford’s uncharged drug use. While Victim’s first three disputed drug-
use statements present the same substantive issues, the parties note the following preservation
differences: (1) Stafford did not object to the first statement; (2) Stafford objected to the second
statement, which closely followed the first and which the trial court sustained before the jury;
and (3) Stafford objected at sidebar to the third reference as a continued violation of the motion
in limine, and that objection was also sustained.
“The scope of an appellant’s claim on appeal is limited by the claim as presented in the
motion for new trial, which in turn is limited by the scope of the objection lodged at the time the
challenged evidence was offered at trial.” State v. Davis, 533 S.W.3d 781, 786 (Mo. App. S.D.
2017) (internal citations omitted). When a defendant fails to object due to inadvertence or
negligence, we review the claim for plain error, but a defendant waives even plain-error review
when “counsel has affirmatively acted in a manner precluding a finding that the failure to object
was a product of inadvertence of negligence” such as affirmatively stating “no objection” or for a
strategic reason. State v. Johnson, 284 S.W.3d 561, 582 (Mo. banc 2009) (internal citations
omitted).
Here, since Stafford did not object to the first statement, we review that claim for plain
error. See Johnson, 284 S.W.3d at 568. Because Stafford objected to the second statement, we
6
review that claim for an abuse of discretion. See id. Regarding the third statement, although the
trial court sustained Stafford’s objection to the third statement at sidebar, the State nonetheless
argues that Stafford waived the claim because he failed either to affirmatively have his sustained
objection heard aloud by the jury or to request a limiting instruction. See id. at 582. We are not
persuaded. Stafford lodged multiple objections to the Victim’s roving testimony and specifically
objected to the State’s violation of the motion in limine in an effort to protect the trial court’s
evidentiary ruling. Stafford’s motion was granted on the record, albeit outside the hearing of the
jury. Accordingly, Stafford’s claim as to the third statement is not waived, and we review the
claim for an abuse of discretion. See id.; Davis, 533 S.W.3d 786, 788.
2. Substantive Analysis
Evidence of uncharged crimes is generally inadmissible to show a defendant’s propensity
to commit the charged offense. State v. Schneider, 483 S.W.3d 495, 505 (Mo. App. E.D. 2016);
State v. Sprofera, 372 S.W.3d 17, 19 (Mo. App. W.D. 2012). However, it is well settled that “a
defendant seeking reversal has the burden of showing both error and resulting prejudice.” State
v. Adams, 350 S.W.3d 864, 866 (Mo. App. E.D. 2011) (citing State v. Isa, 850 S.W.2d 876, 895
(Mo. banc 1993)). No prejudice results unless “the erroneously admitted evidence so influenced
the jury that, when considered with and balanced against all of the evidence properly admitted,
there is a reasonable probability that the jury would have acquitted but for the erroneously
admitted evidence.” Id. (quoting Johnson, 207 S.W.3d at 42); Forrest, 183 S.W.3d at 224. In
determining whether a reference to an uncharged offense is prejudicial, we consider various
factors, including whether the State prompted or emphasized the reference, whether the reference
was fleeting and isolated, whether specific offenses were mentioned, whether an objection was
made and sustained, and whether the reference played a decisive role in the verdict given the
context of the State’s case against the defendant. State v. Goff, 129 S.W.3d 857, 866 n.7 (Mo.
7
banc 2004) (internal citations omitted). For unpreserved claims of error, a defendant must meet
a higher standard of showing manifest injustice resulted from the inadmissible evidence. See
Johnson, 207 S.W.3d at 34.
Here, even under the abuse-of-discretion standard, we reject Stafford’s argument that the
verdict was prejudiced by the Victim’s passing references to Stafford’s drug use while setting the
scene of the incident. In particular, evidence of drug use was not an element of either of the
charged offenses of sodomy or domestic assault. See Goff, 129 S.W.3d at 866; State v. Bell, 488
S.W.3d 228, 251 (Mo. App. E.D. 2016) (finding no prejudice where the prosecution elicited
evidence that the defendant possessed cocaine when he was arrested because it was not directly
related to the charged offense of murder and unlikely to have been given significant probative
value by the jury). Although the State may have failed to effectively instruct Victim on the
limitations of the motion in limine, the record does not suggest that the State prompted Victim to
comment on Stafford’s drug use or her own drug use in setting the scene of the incident. See
Goff, 129 S.W.3d at 866. Indeed, after the sidebar in which the trial court expressed concern that
the Witness was unlikely to adhere to the motion in limine, the State was advised to and
successfully led the Victim through the remainder of her testimony with no further drug-related
references. Further, the Victim’s references to drug use and a single drug transaction were
limited and isolated to one portion of her testimony. The record shows that the State did not
improperly highlight or otherwise draw attention to that testimony nor identify any specific
uncharged criminal act during the presentation of evidence or in closing argument. See id.
Additionally, the jury heard the trial court sustain Stafford’s objection to Victim’s statement that
Stafford had made a call “to get some drugs,” and we may presume that the jury followed the
trial court’s instruction to disregard evidence to which an objection was sustained. See id.; State
8
v. Joseph, 515 S.W.3d 735, 749 (Mo. App. E.D. 2016) (internal citation omitted). Viewed in the
full context of the State’s case against Stafford, we do not find that Stafford has shown the
necessary prejudice or manifest injustice to find reversible trial court error. See Forrest, 183
S.W.3d at 223; Johnson, 207 S.W.3d at 34.
B. Stafford’s Use of “Pain Drugs”
Stafford also asserts that Victim’s reference to Stafford’s use of “pain drugs” to manage
his pain and allow him to be mobile created an unreasonable risk that the jury sentenced him for
uncharged misconduct. We disagree.
During a sidebar conference, the parties argued their positions regarding the State’s
intention to rebut Stafford’s evidence (which included medical records) that he could not have
committed the charged offenses due to his physical limitations caused by pain from an earlier
accident. The State sought to ask Victim if Stafford self-medicated with illegal narcotics
(specifically, heroin) to show that he was sufficiently mobile on the day of the incident to have
committed the assault and sodomy. The trial court recognized the legitimacy of the State’s
request for rebuttal evidence but also recognized that mentioning heroin would be unduly
prejudicial. Over Stafford’s objection, the trial court ruled that the State could recall Victim to
testify and inquire whether “pain drugs” provided Stafford increased mobility. In its ruling, the
trial court noted that this narrow inquiry best avoided any reference to illegal activity while
allowing the rebuttal witness to testify to evidence in which the probative value outweighed any
prejudicial effect. Subsequently, the State asked Victim whether there were times when she was
living with Stafford that he was able to be mobile, whether pain drugs allowed him to have that
increased mobility, and whether he had mobility the night of the assault; Victim answered “yes”
to each question.
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Stafford’s claim that the term “pain drugs” constitutes a reference to illegal, uncharged
misconduct supporting a claim of reversible error is unavailing. See Schneider, 483 S.W.3d at
505. The single and carefully posed question about “pain drugs” did not violate the rule against
evidence of uncharged acts, but in fact was specifically designed to avoid any prejudicial
reference to Stafford’s heroin use. See id.; Bell, 488 S.W.3d at 249 (citing Johnson, 207 S.W.3d
at 42) (noting a “trial court has broad discretion in determining the admissibility of evidence, and
we will not disturb its ruling absent a clear abuse of that discretion.”). Indeed, the term “pain
drugs” reasonably encompasses legal substances. Victim’s reference to “pain drugs” was not
evidence of uncharged criminal acts. To the contrary, the reference was a generic term for
relevant and proper rebuttal testimony responding to Stafford’s evidence of his leg injury and
claims of impaired mobility. The trial court’s evidentiary ruling was not an abuse of discretion
because the testimony was limited to comply with the sustained motion in limine and prevent the
jury from hearing testimony of Stafford’s uncharged illegal drug use. See Forrest, 183 S.W.3d at
223–24.
We find that Stafford has failed to demonstrate either prejudice or manifest injustice from
the admitted evidence of Victim’s uncharged drug use. Accordingly, the trial court did not err in
denying his motion for new trial. See id; Johnson, 207 S.W.3d at 34. Point One is denied.
II. Point Two—Juror Nondisclosure
In Point Two, Stafford maintains that the trial court abused its discretion in denying his
motion for new trial due to Juror’s nondisclosure that he knew Stafford and Victim as patrons of
the pawnshop where Juror worked.
“In determining whether to grant a new trial for juror nondisclosure, the court first must
determine whether a nondisclosure occurred at all and then, if so, whether the nondisclosure was
intentional or unintentional.” State v. Ess, 453 S.W.3d 196, 203 (Mo. banc 2015) (internal
10
quotation omitted); State v. Miller, 250 S.W.3d 736, 743 (Mo. App. S.D. 2008) (citing State v.
Mayes, 63 S.W.3d 615, 625 (Mo. banc 2001)). “Allegations of nondisclosure are not self-
proving and must be supported by the record.” Hill, 412 S.W.3d at 283–85 (Mo. App. E.D.
2013) (citing State v. McFadden, 391 S.W.3d 408, 418 Mo. banc 2013)); see also State v.
Pherigo, 389 S.W.3d 693, 698 (Mo. App. S.D. 2012) (internal citation omitted) (noting that
allegations in a motion for new trial are not self-proving). To establish juror nondisclosure, a
defendant “must present evidence through testimony or affidavits of any juror, or other witness
either at trial or at the hearing on his motion for new trial.” Ess, 453 S.W.3d at 202 (citing
Mayes, 63 S.W.3d at 625–26) (emphasis omitted). Thus, a bare allegation of juror nondisclosure
in a motion for new trial does not satisfy the quantum of evidence necessary to show that
nondisclosure actually occurred; rather, a claim of juror nondisclosure must be offered in
conjunction with evidence to supplement the record, such as an affidavit from the defendant or a
juror, or the introduction of sworn testimony at the hearing on the motion for new trial. See id. at
201–03 (citing Mayes, 63 S.W.3d at 626). Consequently, we will affirm the denial of a motion
for new trial where the defendant has not supported the motion for new trial with affidavits or
testimony. See Pherigo, 389 S.W.3d at 698 (internal citations omitted).
Here, Stafford has not established sufficient facts to merit relief on his claim of non-
disclosure either by attaching an affidavit to the motion for new trial or by presenting evidence at
the motion hearing. See Ess, 453 S.W.3d at 202. We agree with Stafford that he need not
produce an affidavit or testimony from the non-disclosing juror to establish the requisite facts.
See id. However, Stafford was obligated to establish the nondisclosure through some evidence,
such as attaching an affidavit to his motion for new trial, or taking the stand or calling a witness
at the hearing. See id.; see also Miller, 250 S.W.3d at 743. Here, Stafford presented no evidence
11
from himself, Juror, or any witness in the form of affidavit or testimony. Because Stafford’s
allegation of juror nondisclosure in his motion for new trial was unsupported by any sworn
statements establishing facts in the record for the trial court to find that actual nondisclosure
occurred, the trial court did not err in denying Stafford’s motion for new trial. See Ess, 453
S.W.3d at 202; Pherigo, 389 S.W.3d at 698.
Assuming arguendo that nondisclosure occurred, as the trial court did in its ruling,
Stafford’s claim nonetheless fails. Regarding intentional nondisclosure, Stafford has the burden
to show the nondisclosure was intentional. See Miller, 250 S.W.3d at 743. As explained above,
Stafford offered no evidence of such at the hearing. See Ess, 453 S.W.3d at 202; see also Miller,
250 S.W.3d at 743. Regarding unintentional nondisclosure, Stafford must show that the
nondisclosure prejudiced him in a manner that influenced the jury’s verdict. See Miller, 250
S.W.3d at 743. Stafford did not articulate in his motion or at the hearing how Juror’s familiarity
with Stafford and Victim from the pawnshop influenced the verdict so as to necessitate a retrial.
Stafford suggests only in a very general way that Juror’s nondisclosure of his familiarity with
Stafford and Victim influenced the verdict. Based on the record before us, we hold the trial court
did not err in finding Stafford insufficiently alleged prejudice. See Miller, 250 S.W.3d at 743.
At voir dire, the venire panel was asked whether anyone knew Stafford or Victim; no
vernirepersons responded in the affirmative. Further, the trial court instructed the jury to decide
the case fairly and impartially based on the evidence presented at trial. We presume that “jurors,
when properly instructed, will set aside any preconceived notions or premature conclusions
about the case[.]” Ess, 453 S.W.3d at 205 (citing McFadden, 391 S.W.3d at 421). Therefore,
even if Stafford had presented evidence of inadvertent nondisclosure, the record does not suggest
12
that such nondisclosure prejudiced the verdict so as to warrant a new trial. See Ess, 453 S.W.3d
at 205; Miller, 250 S.W.3d at 743. Point Two is denied.
III. Point Three—Prior Offender Classification
In Point Three, Stafford posits that the trial court plainly erred in sentencing him as a
prior offender under Section 558.016 because the State did not prove the essential facts to
classify Stafford as a prior offender as required by Section 558.021. Stafford requests removal
of the prior-offender classification from his judgment and sentence, but acknowledges that this
point is not preserved and requests plain-error review. See Johnson, 207 S.W.3d at 34.
Section 558.021 requires the State to introduce evidence establishing beyond a reasonable
doubt that the defendant is a prior offender, and further demands the trial court make findings of
fact that warrant finding beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant is a prior offender.
Section 558.021.1(2)–(3). Here, the State concedes that it did not present evidence establishing
Stafford’s prior offender status. The State further concedes that the record does not show a
waiver of such proof and agrees that this omission constituted a violation of Section 558.021.
Accordingly, we find that the trial court plainly erred in sentencing Stafford as a prior offender.
See Sections 558.021, .016; State v. Robinson, 353 S.W.3d 448, 450 (Mo. App. E.D. 2011)
(holding that the trial court plainly erred in designating the defendant as a prior offender where
the State did not allege facts establishing the defendant’s prior-offender status).
However, to provide Stafford with any relief, we must find that the plain error resulted in
manifest injustice. See Johnson, 207 S.W.3d at 34; State v. Morgan, 480 S.W.3d 349, 353 (Mo.
App. E.D. 2015). Here, the trial court’s error in sentencing Stafford as a prior offender did not
affect the length of Stafford’s sentence. See State v. Pierce, 548 S.W.3d 900, 903–04 (Mo. banc
2018) (holding that even a different sentencing range may not be sufficient to show manifest
injustice). In this case, the sentencing range for sodomy in the first degree is five years to life in
13
prison, while the range for domestic assault in the third degree is one to four years. Additionally,
the sentences for the two counts of domestic assault must run consecutive to the first-degree
sodomy count. Section 558.026.1(3). No sentencing enhancement for prior-offender status is
applicable. We note that in pronouncing Stafford’s sentence, the trial court was critical of the
State’s request for 15 years for the sodomy charge compared to its plea offer of five years, and
expressed concern that the difference was punitive because Stafford exercised his right to trial.
The trial court accordingly sentenced Stafford within the proper statutory range to seven years
for first-degree sodomy to run consecutive to three years on each count of third-degree domestic
assault to run concurrent to each other. The record clearly reflects that Stafford’s prior
conviction was not a factor in sentencing and thus not a source of manifest injustice in
sentencing. See Pierce, 548 S.W.3d at 903–04.
While the length of Stafford’s sentence would be no different had he not been classified
as a prior offender, the most direct legal consequence of erroneously sentencing Stafford as a
prior offender is Stafford’s loss of the statutory right to have a jury’s recommendation on
sentencing. Morgan, 480 S.W.3d at 353 (citing State v. Drudge, 296. S.W.3d 37, 41 (Mo. App.
E.D. 2009). The State reasons that Stafford cannot show manifest injustice by the loss of that
statutory right because Stafford waived that right by not requesting jury sentencing and failing to
object to being deprived jury sentencing.
A defendant waives his right to jury sentencing when he allows the trial court to
determine his sentence without affirmatively raising his right to have the jury recommend a
sentence. State v. Emery, 95 S.W.3d 98, 102–03 (Mo. banc 2003); State v. Sprofera, 427
S.W.3d 828, 839 (Mo. App. W.D. 2014). The defendant must timely assert his statutory right to
a jury-recommended sentence. Emery, 95 S.W.3d at102–03; Morgan, 480 S.W.3d at 353 (citing
14
Drudge, 296 S.W.3d at 41) (noting that the “statutory right [to jury sentencing] can be waived
when the defendant fails to assert it”). Where “a defendant has waived his statutory right to jury-
recommended sentencing, the defendant cannot later claim that manifest injustice resulted from
the trial court determining his sentence.” Sprofera, 427 S.W.3d at 839; see Morgan, 480 S.W.3d
at 353.
Here, the record plainly shows that Stafford did not assert his right to a jury-
recommended sentence when the trial court asked whether there was any reason not to proceed
with sentencing. The record of the hearing, including Stafford’s argument that his prior
conviction was non-violent and remote in time, suggests that both parties and the trial court
proceeded on the assumption that Stafford was a prior offender. We acknowledge that the trial
court did not explain to Stafford on the record that he had a right to jury sentencing that was lost
due to him being found a prior offender; however, the trial court was not obligated to do so,
particularly since Stafford’s prior-offender status was not a factor in the length of Stafford’s
sentence.2 Because the law firmly places the burden to assert the statutory right to jury
sentencing on the defendant, we must find that Stafford waived his right to jury sentencing. See
Emery, 95 S.W.3d at 103; Morgan, 480 S.W.3d at 353 (citing Drudge, 296 S.W.3d at 41).
Having determined that Stafford fails to show manifest injustice with respect to the
length of his sentence or his waiver of jury sentencing, we lastly consider Stafford’s contention
that his prior-offender status results in manifest injustice because that status carries possible
ramifications for parole eligibility. See Sprofera, 427 S.W.3d at 839 (citing Robinson, 353
2
We note that Stafford does not allege—nor does the record show—a mismatch between the oral pronouncement of
his sentence and the written sentence. See State v. Brown, 558 S.W.3d 105, 115 (Mo. App. E.D. 2018) (internal
quotation omitted) (“[B]ecause a defendant has a right to be present at the time of sentencing, the trial court’s
written sentence and judgment should generally reflect the court’s oral pronouncement of sentence given to the
defendant.”).
15
S.W.3d at 450, Drudge, 296 S.W.3d at 41). This Court rejected a similar claim after careful
analysis in Morgan. The State argues Morgan is controlling and is the most recent judicial
authority analyzing potential negative parole consequences in this context. 480 S.W.3d at 353–
54. In Morgan, this Court held that a defendant who waived his right to jury-recommended
sentencing did not otherwise demonstrate manifest injustice by alleging negative parole
consequences. Id. Morgan found that a closer analysis of legal precedent as well as Department
of Corrections regulations revealed that “it is not the finding by the trial court that one is a prior
offender that affects parole eligibility under these statutes and regulations, but the fact of one’s
prior criminal history or previous prison commitments.” Id. (internal citations omitted).
Specifically, the relevant statutes and rules—none of which Stafford specifically addresses
here—refer only to the offender’s prior criminal history or “previous prison commitments” rather
than any classification made by the trial court. Id. (internal citations omitted). We may not find
manifest injustice based on purely speculative claims that are not supported by the record.
Forrest, 183 S.W.3d at 229–30.
Stafford supports his argument only with cases that preceded Morgan, and does not offer
a basis allowing us to distinguish the precedent Morgan established with respect to speculative
parole-eligibility ramifications. See, e.g., Simmons v. State, 432 S.W.3d 306, 309 (Mo. App.
E.D. 2014) (internal citations omitted) (recognizing that we are bound by precedent in the
context of parole eligibility being a collateral matter not impacting the voluntariness of a guilty
plea). Accordingly, having failed to identify any probable negative consequences resulting from
his classification as a prior offender, Stafford does not meet his burden to show manifest
injustice necessary to be granted relief on appeal. See Johnson, 207 S.W.3d at 34; Morgan, 480
S.W.3d at 354. Point Three is denied.
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Conclusion
The judgment of the trial court is affirmed.
_____________________________________
KURT S. ODENWALD, Judge
Philip M. Hess, P.J., concurs.
Lisa P. Page, J., concurs.
17