STATE v. VALENTA (2024)

Missouri Court of Appeals, Western District.

STATE of Missouri, Respondent, v. John A. VALENTA, Appellant.

WD 86005

Decided: February 27, 2024

Division Three: Mark D. Pfeiffer, Presiding Judge, Lisa White Hardwick, Judge and W. Douglas Thomson, Judge

Wensdai Brooks, Jefferson City, MO, for Respondent. Lindsey L. Wiederholt, Kansas City, MO, for Appellant.

ORDER

John A. Valenta (“Valenta”) appeals his convictions for first-degree child molestation and first-degree statutory sodomy following a jury trial in the Circuit Court of Jackson County (“trial court”). Valenta raises two points on appeal, arguing in both that the trial court erred in overruling his challenges to the State's use of peremptory strikes to remove two African-American venirepersons under Batson v. Kentucky, 476 U.S. 79, 106 S.Ct. 1712, 90 L.Ed.2d 69 (1986), claiming the State's proffered reasons for so doing were pretextual. We affirm. Because a published opinion would have no precedential value, we have provided an unpublished memorandum which sets forth the reasons for this order. 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Out of date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