State of New Jersey, Plaintiff-Appellant v. McCoy Whitaker, Defendant-Respondent

Summary

The Supreme Court of New Jersey reversed the Appellate Division’s reduction of a defendant’s aggregate sentence, reinstating the trial judge’s original consecutive terms of 43 to 50 years. The Court held that the appellate court abused its discretion by lowering the sentence without articulating the specific reasons required by law, and affirmed the trial judge’s exercise of discretion in imposing a harsh sentence to protect the community.