Kelly Mathis v. State

Kelly Mathis (“Appellant”) appeals his convictions and sentences for: racketeering (RICO); 1 fifty-one counts of setting up, promoting, or conducting an illegal lottery; 2 and fifty-one counts of possessing an illegal slot machine or device. 3 Appellant argues, and we agree, that the trial court abused its discretion by excluding evidence supporting his theory of the defense, effectively preventing him from arguing that he lacked the requisite mens rea for his offenses. We reverse Appellant’s convictions and sentences and remand for a new trial. 4

This case stems from Florida’s crackdown on…