CHAMBERS, JAMES W.
Crime and Trial
County of conviction: St. Louis City
Number of counts: One
Race of victim: White
Gender of victim: Male
Date of crime: May 29, 1982
Date of sentencing: December 30, 1982
Date of execution: November 15, 2000
Legal status:
Trial Counsel:Last counsel of record:
Kent E. Gipson
Public Interest Litigation Clinic
305 E. 63rd St.
Kansas City, MO 64113
816-363-2795
George M. Winger
9233 Ward Parkway, Suite 120
Kansas City, MO 64114
816-361-1137
Last judicial decision:
--Motion for leave to file a successive habeas petition denied by Chambers v. Luebbers, 232 F.3d 656 (8th Cir. 2000).
Reported Opinions: FOLLOWING FIRST CONVICTION:
--Conviction and sentence reversed on direct appeal by State v. Chambers, 671 S.W.2d 781 (Mo. banc 1984) (trial court's failure to instruct the jury on self-defense)
FOLLOWING SECOND CONVICTION:
--Conviction and sentence affirmed on direct appeal by State v. Chambers, 714 S.W.2d 527 (Mo.1986) (en banc).--Denial of post-conviction relief affirmed by Chambers v. State, 745 S.W.2d 718 (Mo. App. E.D. 1987).
--Denial of habeas corpus reversed by Chambers v. Armontrout, 885 F.2d 1318 (8th Cir.1989) (holding counsel ineffective for failing to call or interview a witness who would have testified in support of Mr. Chambers' claim of self-defense), adhered to on rehearing, 907 F.2d 825 (8th Cir. 1990) (en banc), cert. denied, 498 U.S. 950 (1990).FOLLOWING THIRD CONVICTION:
--Conviction, sentence, and denial of post-conviction relief affirmed by State v. Chambers, 891 S.W.2d 93 (Mo. banc 1994).
--Dismissal of subsequent motion for post-conviction relief affirmed by Chambers v. State, 982 S.W.2d 243 (Mo. banc 1998).
--Dismissal of further pro se motion for post-conviction relief affirmed by Chambers v. State, 24 S.W.3d 763 (Mo. App. W.D. 2000).
--Habeas corpus denied by Chambers v. Bowersox, No. 95-0369-CV-W-6, 1997 WL 118366 (W.D. Mo. Mar. 12, 1997), aff'd, 157 F.3d 560 (8th Cir. 1998), cert. denied, 527 U.S. 1029 (1999).
--Stay of execution granted by Chambers v. Bowersox, 197 F.3d 308 (8th Cir. 1999).
--Motion for leave to file a successive habeas petition denied by Chambers v. Luebbers, 232 F.3d 656 (8th Cir. 2000).
Significant legal issues:
--the trial court's use of a privileged statement allegedly made by Mr. Chambers to his probation officer that he regretted never having the opportunity to kill a police officer, which was offered as "character" aggravating evidence during the penalty phase.
--prosecutor's improper question during the penalty phase, which asked a defense witness whether future legislation might allow inmates who receive a life sentence to be considered for parole
--trial counsel's failure to investigate witnesses and their possible testimony, and failure to call Dr. S.D. Parwatikar, who would have supported a claim (at guilt and sentencing) that Mr. Chambers was acting impulsively and did not or could not premeditate