The State of New Jersey, Plaintiff-Respondent v. Horace Nelson Laws, Defendant-Appellant; the State of New Jersey…

Summary

The Supreme Court of New Jersey affirmed the murder convictions but held that the trial court erred by refusing to instruct the jury on the parole issue, which prejudicially affected the death sentence. Accordingly, the Court ordered a reargument limited to the question of whether it has authority to modify a death sentence to life imprisonment. The convictions remain, but sentencing will be reconsidered on remand.