State of New Jersey, Plaintiff-Respondent v. Samuel Erazo, Defendant-Appellant

Summary

The Supreme Court of New Jersey reversed Samuel Erazo’s capital‑murder conviction and death sentence because the trial court gave erroneous jury instructions that shifted the burden of proving passion/provocation to the defendant and failed to distinguish between knowingly/purposely causing death and knowingly/purposely causing serious bodily injury resulting in death. The conviction for possession of a weapon was affirmed, and the case was remanded for a new trial on the murder charge.