MICHAEL HUNTER v. STATE OF MISSOURI (2026)

Missouri Court of Appeals, Western District.

MICHAEL K. HUNTER, Appellant, v. STATE OF MISSOURI, Respondent.

WD87800

Decided: March 31, 2026

Before Division Four: Anthony Rex Gabbert, C.J., P.J., and Lisa White Hardwick and Alok Ahuja, JJ.

Attorneys: Christian Lehmberg, Columbia, for Appeellant, Alex Beezley, Jefferson City, for Respondent.

ORDER

Michael Hunter pleaded guilty to first-degree child molestation in the Circuit Court of Randolph County. During his interview in connection with the preparation of a Sentencing Assessment Report, Hunter denied that he had committed the underlying offense. The circuit court referenced Hunter's denial of guilt when imposing a ten-year prison sentence. Hunter timely filed a motion for post-conviction relief under Supreme Court Rule 24.035. As relevant here, Hunter's motion argued that his defense counsel was ineffective for failing to adequately prepare him for his Sentencing Assessment interview. The circuit court denied relief following an evidentiary hearing. Hunter appeals. We affirm. Because a published opinion would have no precedential value, we have provided the parties with an unpublished memorandum setting forth the reasons for this order. Rule 84.16(b).

PER CURIAM:

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