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

Summary

The Supreme Court of New Jersey reversed Samuel Leon Moore's capital‑murder convictions and death sentences because the trial court's jury instruction on diminished capacity improperly shifted the burden of proof to the defendant, violating Humanik and Breakiron, and the error was not harmless. The Court noted other errors but held they did not require reversal. Justice Handler, in a concurring‑in‑part/dissenting‑in‑part opinion, contested the majority on voir‑dire, expert testimony, pregnancy evidence, and aggravating‑factor applications.