Phillips Black

Mark Christeson

Current Proceedings: Executed January 31, 2017.

Case Number: 4:04-cv-08004-DW

Judge: Dean Whipple

Defendant’s Demographic Information: White Male

Current Counsel:

Legal Status: Executed January 31, 2017.

Significant Legal Issues:

• Availability of federal habeas relief on new claims after original habeas counsel filed a time-barred petition

• Mr. Christeson’s entitlement to new counsel in light of conflict of interest caused by previous counsel’s error in filing untimely habeas corpus petition

Last Judicial Decision Related to Conviction or Sentence:

• Grant of stay of execution pending petition for writ of certiorari in U.S. Supreme Court, entered Oct. 28, 2014 (U.S. Case Nos. 14-6873, 14A445)

Reported Opinions:

• Affirmance of denial of motion to substitute federally-appointed habeas counsel reversed and remanded by Christeson v. Roper, 135 S. Ct. 891 (2015)

• Appeal of denial of habeas corpus dismissed, and certificate of appealability denied, by Christeson v. Roper, 8th Circuit Case No. 07-1905 (unpublished order May 29, 2007)

• Habeas corpus dismissed as untimely by Christeson v. Roper, W.D. Mo. Case No.4:04-cv-8004-DW (unpublished order Jan. 31, 2007)

• Denial of post-conviction relief affirmed by Christeson v. State, 131 S.W.3d 796 (Mo. 2004)

• Convictions and sentences affirmed by State v. Christeson, 50 S.W.3d 251 (Mo.), cert. denied, 534 U.S. 978 (2001)

Prior Counsel:

• John Gregory Mermelstein

• Pete E. Carter

Conviction County: Vernon County (on transfer from Maries County)

Counts: 3

Victim Demographic:

• White Female

• White Female

• White Male

Crime Date: 02/01/1998

Sentencing Date: 10/14/1999

Trial Counsel:

• Scott McBride

• Valerie Leftwich

Trial Judge: Unknown

Trial Prosecutor: Unknown