State v. Jones

The opinion of the court was delivered by

KEEFE, J.A.D.

In this death penalty case, the jury was unable to unanimously conclude beyond a reasonable doubt that defendant James Earl Jones purposely or knowingly caused the death of Hope Stauffer. The jury, however, found defendant guilty of the murder of Hope Stauffer, contrary to N.J.S.A. 2C:ll-3a(l) (count one); felony murder, contrary to N.J.S.A. 2C:ll-3a(3) (count three); first degree kidnapping of Hope Stauffer, contrary to N.J.S.A. 2C:13-lb(l)(2) (count four); second degree kidnapping of Hope Stauffer’s son, M.S., contrary to N.J.S.A.…