State of New Jersey, Plaintiff-Respondent v. John Chew, Defendant-Appellant

Summary

The Supreme Court of New Jersey affirmed John Chew's conviction for capital murder and his death sentence, holding that the pecuniary‑gain aggravating factor applies to a killing undertaken to obtain insurance proceeds, that Chew's post‑invocation statements were admissible because he voluntarily waived his rights, and that the jury charge on "own conduct" was proper. Justice Handler dissented, arguing that the factor should be limited to contract killings, that the jury was mis‑instructed, and that the death sentence should be vacated.