Thomas v. State

Summary

The court affirmed Thomas’s convictions for malice murder and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony. It held that the trial court abused its discretion by admitting evidence of Thomas’s prior shooting to prove intent and motive, but found the error harmless because the independent evidence of guilt was strong and limiting instructions were given. The court also rejected Thomas’s ineffective-assistance claim concerning his decision not to testify and declined to correct the separate sentencing merger error.