State of New Jersey, Plaintiff-Respondent and Cross-Appellant v. Peter Papasavvas, Defendant-Appellant and…

Summary

The Supreme Court of New Jersey affirmed the murder conviction and death sentence, finding that the trial court’s voir dire, juror qualifications, peremptory‑challenge procedures, and expert testimony did not constitute reversible error, and remanded the non‑capital convictions for resentencing. Justice LONG dissented, arguing that the death‑qualification process and juror exclusions violated the right to an impartial jury and that the errors were not harmless, warranting reversal of the death sentence.