The State of New Jersey, Plaintiff-Respondent v. Leo Robert Forcella, Defendant-Appellant; the State of New Jersey…

Summary

The Supreme Court of New Jersey affirmed the murder convictions and denied the motion to eliminate the death penalty, holding that the state homicide statute does not violate the Fifth or Sixth Amendments and that the death penalty provision is constitutionally permissible. The Court distinguished United States v. Jackson as inapplicable to New Jersey law. Justice Jacobs and Hall dissented, arguing the statute is invalid under Jackson, while Justice Francis concurred in the result with qualifications.