Conviction Upheld for Man Convicted of Killing Trooper

The Missouri Supreme Court has upheld the murder conviction of a man sentenced to death in the fatal shooting of a Missouri State Highway Patrol trooper 14 years ago.

In a ruling announced Tuesday, the court affirmed a lower court’s finding that rejected Lance Shockley’s request for a new trial. Among other things, Shockley claimed he had ineffective counsel in his trial.

Shockley was found guilty of first-degree murder in the death of Patrol Sgt. Dewayne Graham outside his home in Carter County in March 2005.

Testimony at the trial indicated Graham was killed because he was investigating Shockley for involuntary manslaughter and leaving the scene of an accident.