State of New Jersey, Plaintiff-Respondent v. David Bass (a/K/A Robert Hines), Defendant-Appellant

Summary

The New Jersey Supreme Court affirmed the appellate court’s decision that the trial court properly declined a jury instruction on the use of force against an intruder, but reversed and remanded for a new trial on the murder, attempted murder, and weapon‑possession charges because the trial court erred by limiting the defendant’s cross‑examination of a key State witness about his plea agreement and by admitting a substitute medical examiner’s testimony that violated the Confrontation Clause.