Valls v. State

Amadeo Vails appeals his convictions and concurrent life sentences for first degree murder and armed burglary. The unusual personal and legal relationships among the defendant, the victim, and the owner of the residence that was the site of the incident justified a jury instruction that was requested by the defense, but opposed by the State and denied by the trial court. For the reasons which follow, we reverse Vails’ convictions and sentences, and we remand the case for a new trial.

Facts and Procedural History

Vails and the woman who owned the residence in question had known each oth*236er for…