Thomas v. State

The State of Florida (plaintiff) prosecuted Ronald Anthony Thomas (defendant) for murder and armed robbery after Thomas approached a man who owed him $10 in cash with a drawn gun demanding repayment; the man denied owing the debt, a struggle ensued, and Thomas shot and killed him. Thomas requested a jury instruction that a creditor's good-faith attempt to collect a debt excuses using force against the debtor, which the judge refused; the jury convicted Thomas of both murder and armed robbery, and he appealed.