State of New Jersey, Plaintiff-Respondent v. Nelson Cole, Defendant-Appellant

Summary

The Supreme Court of New Jersey affirmed the Appellate Division's decision that Nelson Cole's convictions for robbery, aggravated assault, and kidnapping do not merge with his conviction for aggravated sexual assault. The Court reasoned that the statutes create distinct offenses protecting separate interests and that the enhancement provision of the sexual assault statute reflects a legislative intent to impose separate punishments.