Thomas v. State

Summary

The court held that the trial court erred by admitting evidence of Thomas’s prior shooting to prove intent and motive, but concluded that the error was harmless because the independent evidence of guilt was strong and the jury received limiting instructions. The court also held that Thomas failed to prove ineffective assistance based on counsel’s advice concerning his decision not to testify. The convictions were affirmed, while the court declined to correct the sentencing merger error but left correction available in the trial court.