State of New Jersey, Plaintiff-Appellant v. Lorenzo Oliver, Defendant-Respondent

Summary

The Supreme Court of New Jersey affirmed the Appellate Division's reversal and remand, holding that the trial court erred in denying severance, admitting other‑crime evidence without showing an integrated plan, providing an inadequate limiting instruction, and refusing a no‑adverse‑inference charge that was not harmless. The Court clarified that other‑crime evidence may be admitted to prove intent, feasibility, and pretext, but the trial court must give a precise limiting instruction and must instruct jurors not to draw adverse inferences from the defendant’s silence.