Supreme Court Upholds Missouri’s Megan’s Law

The Missouri Supreme Court has handed down several decisions. Among them, one in which the judges unanimously agreed that most provisions of Missouri’s Megan’s Law – the law requiring sex offenders to register with law enforcement – are constitutional. However, the Court did rule those convicted of or pleading guilty to sexual crimes before the January 1st, 1995 implementation date don’t have to register. The Court also ordered a new penalty phase trial in the capital murder case of Terrance Anderson, convicted of executing Stephen and Debbie Rainwater of Poplar Bluff with a .357 handgun in 1997. The Court ruled unanimously that Anderson’s counsel was ineffective during the penalty phase.