STATE v. GROCE (2024)

Missouri Court of Appeals, Western District.

STATE of Missouri, Respondent, v. Travis D. GROCE, Appellant.

WD 85513

Decided: January 30, 2024

Before Division Three: Lisa White Hardwick, Presiding Judge, and Karen King Mitchell and Cynthia L. Martin, Judges

Andrew Bailey, Attorney General, and Zeb J. Charlton, Assistant Attorney General, Jefferson City, MO, Attorneys for Respondent. William J. Swift, Assistant Public Defender, Columbia, MO, Attorney for Appellant.

Order

Travis Groce appeals his conviction for one count of first-degree domestic assault, § 565.072, RSMo Cum. Supp. 2020, for stomping on Victim's head. Groce raises four points on appeal. First, he argues the trial court erred by failing to grant a mistrial after a prosecution witness made accusations against Groce and Victim as the witness was leaving the courtroom. Second, Groce asserts the court plainly erred by overruling his objection to another prosecution witness's testimony that Groce stomping on Victim's head was the “most horrifying thing [the witness had] ever seen.” For his third and fourth points, respectively, Groce claims the court erred by refusing his proffered instructions for the lesser-included offenses of second-degree domestic assault and third-degree domestic assault “by striking [Victim].” Finding no error, we affirm. Rule 30.25(b).

Per Curiam:

Was this helpful?

Why was this helpful?

Easy to understand

Solved my problem

Other

Why was this not helpful?

Missing the information I need

Too complicated / too many steps

Out of date

Other

Thank you for your feedback!

Trusted by Consumers. Recognized by AI.

As the largest network of trusted legal brands, we help firms build authority across the platforms consumers and AI systems rely on most. Our network helps attorneys strengthen visibility, credibility, and preference where legal decisions begin.

Explore the Network