State v. Brennan

This case, like its companion, State v. B.H., 183 N.J. 171, 870 A.2d 273 (2005), decided today, concerns battered woman syndrome and how it may be used by a defendant claiming a duress defense under N.J.S.A 2C:2-9. Briefly, we summarize the facts and procedural posture of this appeal.

Joanne Brennan was employed as the tax collector for the City of South Amboy for almost twenty-five years. Brennan was accused of stealing from her employer more than $250,000 between January 1996 and December 2001. Allegedly Brennan pocketed cash payments of taxes made by homeowners.

On June 5, 2002, in a…