State of New Jersey, Plaintiff-Appellant v. Leardee D. Jenkins, Defendant-Respondent

Summary

The Supreme Court held that a juror who openly admits she cannot follow the law because of personal bias must be removed under Rule 1:8‑2(d)(1), and that substituting an alternate juror after deliberations have progressed to the point where the jury has effectively reached a verdict is impermissible. Accordingly, the Court affirmed the Appellate Division’s reversal of the defendant’s convictions and ordered a new trial.