State of New Jersey, Plaintiff-Respondent v. Roy R. Williams, Jr., Defendant-Appellant

Summary

The Supreme Court of New Jersey reversed Williams's conviction for second‑degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose because the trial court's jury instruction failed to explain that an honest, though unreasonable, belief could negate the required unlawful purpose element. The Court remanded for a new trial on that count and affirmed the remaining convictions. Justice Coleman dissented, arguing the instruction error was harmless.