State of New Jersey, Plaintiff-Respondent v. Brian W. Samuels, Defendant-Appellant

Summary

The Supreme Court of New Jersey reversed the Appellate Division's affirmance of Brian W. Samuels' convictions for conspiracy to commit armed robbery and armed robbery, remanding for a new trial with proper jury instructions, including a lesser‑included offense instruction for attempted robbery. The Court held that the evidence, when viewed in the light most favorable to the State, was insufficient to prove a conspiratorial agreement and that the trial judge's instructions on vicarious liability were legally erroneous. Justice Albin dissented, arguing that the evidence was insufficient and that a retrial would violate double jeopardy.