State of New Jersey, Plaintiff-Respondent v. Rigoberto Mejia, A/K/A Martin Gamez, Defendant-Appellant

Summary

The Supreme Court of New Jersey affirmed Mejia's murder conviction but reversed his death sentence because the trial court failed to give a proper Gerald charge allowing a non‑unanimous verdict on intent to cause serious bodily injury. The Court also held that the claim‑of‑right defense does not apply to robbery and that Mejia's Miranda waiver was knowing and intelligent. Separate opinions noted additional concerns about voir dire and pre‑trial publicity.