State v. Martini

The Office of the New Jersey Public Defender appeals the denial of its petition for post-conviction relief (PCR) from the conviction of murder and sentence of death imposed on John Martini, Sr. Although the Office of the Public Defender seeks vacation of defendant’s death sentence, it filed its petition without Martini’s approval. Martini, through personal counsel, contests the Public Defender’s appeal, as does the Bergen County Prosecutor.

This Court has twice affirmed the Public Defender’s right to pursue post-conviction proceedings on Martini’s behalf despite defendant’s desire not to. The…