NCJ Number
139364
Date Published
Unknown
Length
837 pages
Annotation
This report presents detailed summaries of the facts and procedural history of all cases that were eligible for the death penalty in New Jersey since the re-enactment of capital punishment on August 5, 1982.
Abstract
The death-eligible cases are categorized according to "penalty trial death sentences," "penalty trial life sentences'" and "no penalty trial." Death eligibility was determined according to standards set by the Special Master for the Proportionality Review Project. These criteria are presented in the final report of the Special Master for the New Jersey Proportionality Review Project to the New Jersey Supreme Court. The summaries are based primarily on the facts of each case as found in appellate opinions where available or as found in presentence reports. Where an appellate opinion is used to recount the facts, information in the presentence report that related to the defendant's background is included at the end of the summary. Other sources of information used were comments from trial counsel and other public documents such as police reports, appellate briefs, and judgments of conviction. Trial transcripts were reviewed for some cases. Each summary is preceded by a brief thumbnail sketch of the facts and the outcome as well as relevant aggravating and mitigating factors as found by juries or by the Special Master where cases were not tried to a penalty phase. Thirty-five cases are in the section on those receiving death sentences; 85 cases involved life sentences; and 63 cases involved life sentences with no penalty trial.