Missouri Court of Appeals Reaffirms Requirements for Admitting Text Messages

In a recent ruling, the Missouri Court of Appeals clarified the standards for admitting text messages as evidence in court, emphasizing the importance of proving authorship. The case involved Jeffery Lumzy, who was convicted of serious crimes after a violent incident. The court highlighted that simply owning a phone is not enough; there must be “some proof” that the sender actually wrote the message. This decision sheds light on the evolving challenges of litigation in the digital age, making it essential for legal practitioners to understand the nuances of technology in the courtroom.