The Stockley Verdict: An Explainer

Abstract

The purpose of this document is to help explain some of the existing Missouri law that Judge Wilson used in his opinion. It does not take a side on the opinion itself. At the end of the day, the decision Judge Wilson made was based on his call on various disputed factual questions. The law was not, for the most part, at issue. I attempt only to describe the legal framework within with Judge Wilson decided the case; not to support or to criticize his verdict. Each person will ultimately have to make his or her own judgment about whether the decision was correct.