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MICHAEL GENNETTEN
| Mike Gennetten was convicted in 1995 of murder in the second degree in the Circuit Court of Moniteau County and sentenced to 30 years imprisonment for the murder of an infant child in his care. It was apparent from the beginning that Mike’s trial attorney did a pitiful job in representing him, ignoring and failing to present available medical evidence that the infant’s injuries and cause of death due to shaken baby syndrome was accidental. Attorneys from the Clinic became involved in the case during 29.15 proceedings before the Circuit Court. After the Circuit Court denied relief after a hearing, the litigation culminated with the opinion in State v. Gennetten, 96 S.W.3d 143 (Mo. App. W.D. 2003). The Court of Appeals reversed Mike’s conviction and ordered a new trial based upon its conclusion that trial counsel was ineffective in failing to present medical testimony to support the defense that the victim’s injuries were accidentally caused. In August of 2003, rather than risking a retrial, Mike entered an Alford plea to the charge and was sentenced to fourteen years, a sentence that makes him eligible for parole within a matter of months. Soon, Mike will be able to enjoy his freedom and pursue his outdoor interests at his Lake of the Ozarks home. | |
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