MURDER (N.J.S.A. 2C:11‑3a(l) and 3a(2)) model jury charge
MURDER
(N.J.S.A. 2C:11‑3a(l) and 3a(2))
The defendant is charged by indictment with the murder of (insert name of victim). Countof the indictment reads as follows:(Read indictment)
(1)caused the victims death or serious bodily injury that then resulted in the victims death;[1]and
(2)the defendant did so purposely or knowingly.
In order for you to find the defendant guilty of murder, the State is required to prove each of the following elements beyond a reasonable doubt:
(1)that the defendant caused(insert victims name)death or serious bodily injury that then resulted in(insert victims name)death, and
(2)that the defendant did so purposely or knowingly.
One element that the State must prove beyond a reasonable doubt is that the defendant acted purposely or knowingly.
A person acts purposely when it is the persons conscious object to cause death or serious bodily injury resulting in death.[2]
A person acts knowingly when the person is aware thatit is practically certain thathis/herconduct will cause death or serious bodily injury resulting in death.[3]
The nature of the purpose or knowledge with which the defendant acted toward(insert victims name)is a question of fact for you the jury to decide. Purpose and knowledge are conditions of the mind which cannot be seen and can only be determined by inferences from conduct, words or acts. It is not necessary for the State to produce a witness or witnesses who could testify that the defendant stated, for example, thathis/herpurpose was to cause death or serious bodily injury resulting in death; or thathe/sheknew thathis/herconduct would cause death or serious bodily injury resulting in death. It is within your power to find that proof of purpose or knowledge has been furnished beyond a reasonable doubt by inferences which may arise from the nature of the acts and the surrounding circumstances. Such things as the place where the acts occurred, the weapon used, the location, number and nature of wounds inflicted, and all that was done or said by the defendant preceding, connected with, and immediately succeeding the events leading to the death of(insert victims name)are among the circumstances to be considered.
Although the State must prove that the defendant acted either purposely or knowingly, the State is not required to prove a motive.If the State has proved the essential elements of the offense beyond a reasonable doubt, the defendant must be found guilty of that offense regardless of the defendants motive or lack of a motive.If the State, however, has proved a motive, you may consider that insofar as it gives meaning to other circumstances.[4]On the other hand, you may consider the absence of motive in weighing whether or not the defendant is guilty of the crime charged.
A homicide or a killing with a deadly weapon, such as (describe the deadly weapon used) in itself would permit you to draw an inference that the defendants purpose was to take life or cause serious bodily injury resulting in death.[5]A deadly weapon is any firearm or other weapon, device, instrument, material or substance, which in the manner it is used or is intended to be used, is known to be capable of producing death or serious bodily injury.[6]In your deliberations you may consider the weapon used and the manner and circumstances of the killing, and if you are satisfied beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant (shot) (stabbed) and killed(insert victims name)with a (gun) (knife) you may draw an inference from the weapon used, that is the (gun) (knife), and from the manner and circumstances of the killing, as to the defendants purpose or knowledge.
The other element that the State must prove beyond a reasonable doubt is that the defendant caused(insert victims name)death or serious bodily injury resulting in death.
As I previously advised you, in order to convict the defendant of murder, the State must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant either purposely or knowingly caused the victims death or serious bodily injury resulting in death. In that regard, serious bodily injury means bodily injury that creates a substantial risk of death. A substantial risk of death exists where it is highly probable that the injury will result in death.[7]
In order for you to find the defendant guilty of purposeful serious bodily injury murder, the State must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that it was the defendants conscious object to cause serious bodily injury that then resulted in the victims death; that the defendant knew that the injury created a substantial risk of death; and that it was highly probable that death would result. In order for you to find the defendant guilty of knowing serious bodily injury murder, the State must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant was aware that it was practically certain thathis/herconduct would cause serious bodily injury that then resulted in the victims death; that the defendant knew that the injury created a substantial risk of death; and that it was highly probable that death would result.
(If causal relationship between conduct and result is not an issue,
charge the following paragraph)
Whether the killing is committed purposely or knowingly, causing death or serious bodily injury resulting in death must be within the design or contemplation of the defendant.
(If causal relationship between conduct and resultisan issue, charge the following[8])
Causation has a special meaning under the law. To establish causation, the State must prove two elements, each beyond a reasonable doubt:
First, that but for the defendants conduct, the victim would not have died.
Second,(insert victims name)death must have been within the design or contemplation of the defendant. If not, it must involve the same kind of injury or harm as that designed or contemplated, and must also not be too remote, too accidental in its occurrence or too dependent on another s volitional act to have a just bearing on the defendants liability or on the gravity ofhis/heroffense. In other words, the State must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that(insert victims name)death was not so unexpected or unusual that it would be unjust to find the defendant guilty of murder.[9]
[NOTE:In cases whereCausation - Removal of Life Supportis an issue, the jury should be instructed as follows:
You have heard testimony that on [date],(insert victims name)was taken off life support and thathe/shedied at some point after this was done.Should you find beyond a reasonable doubt that(insert victims name)died from medical complications that resulted from injuries caused by defendants actions, the removal of life support, in this case (method of removal), is not an intervening cause that relieves defendant of any criminal liability for those actions.[10]That is, if defendants actions set in motion(insert victims name)need for life support, without which death would result naturally, then the causal link between defendants action and the death of(insert victims name)was not broken by an unforeseen, extraordinary act when(insert victims name)was removed from life support and then expired, unless there was an intervening volitional act of another.][11]
(Where the defendant and State offer contrasting factual theories of causation, each version should be summarized for the jury.[12])
[CHARGE IN ALL CASES]
In order for you to find the defendant guilty of murder the State must first establish beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant caused(insert victims name)death or serious bodily injury resulting in death, either purposely or knowingly, as I have defined these terms for you. The State, however, is not required to prove a motive. If the State has proved the essential elements of the offense beyond a reasonable doubt, the defendant must be found guilty of that offense regardless of the defendants motive or lack of a motive. If the State, however, has proved a motive, you may consider that insofar as it gives meaning to other circumstances.[13]On the other hand, you may consider the absence of motive in weighing whether or not the defendant is guilty of the crime charged.
A homicide or a killing with a deadly weapon, such as (describe the deadly weapon used) in itself would permit you to draw an inference that the defendants purpose was to take life or cause serious bodily injury resulting in death.[14]A deadly weapon is any firearm or other weapon, device, instrument, material or substance, which in the manner it is used or is intended to be used, is known to be capable of producing death or serious bodily injury.[15]In your deliberations you may consider the weapon used and the manner and circumstances of the killing, and if you are satisfied beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant (shot) (stabbed) and killed(insert victims name)with a (gun) (knife) you may draw an inference from the weapon used, that is, the (gun) (knife), and from the manner and circumstances of the killing, as to the defendants purpose or knowledge.
All jurors do not have to agree unanimously concerning which form of murder is present so long as all believe that it was one form of murder or the other.However, for a defendant to be guilty of murder, all jurors must agree that the defendant either knowingly or purposely caused the death or serious bodily injury resulting in the death of(insert victims name).
If after a consideration of all the evidence you are convinced beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant either purposely or knowingly caused(insert victims name)death or serious bodily injury resulting in death, then your verdict must be guilty.
If, however, after a consideration of all the evidence you find that the State has failed to prove any element of the offense beyond a reasonable doubt, your verdict must be not guilty.
[1]Note that inState v. Gilliam, 224N.J. Super. 759 (App. Div. 1988), the Court held that an actor must intend to cause death in order to be guilty of attempted murder.If the actor intends to cause serious bodily injury, then he cannot be guilty of attempted murder.Therefore, when this charge is combined withN.J.S.A.2C:5-1 (Attempt) to charge attempted murder, it is necessary to omit all references to serious bodily injury resulting in death.
[2]N.J.S.A.2C:2-2b (1).
[3]N.J.S.A.2C:2-2b (2).
[6]N.J.S.A.2C:11-1c.
[15]N.J.S.A.2C:11-1c.
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| Consequences of a Criminal Guilty Plea 1. You will have to appear in open court and tell the judge what you did that makes you guilty of the particular offense(s) 2. Do you understand that if you plead guilty: a. You will have a criminal record3. If you are on Probation, you will have to submit to random drug and urine testing. If you violate Probation, you often go to jail. 4. In indictable matters, you will be required to provide a DNA sample, which could be used by law enforcement for the investigation of criminal activity, and pay for the cost of testing. 5. You must pay restitution if the court finds there is a victim who has suffered a loss and if the court finds that you are able or will be able in the future to pay restitution. 6. If you are a public office holder or employee, you can be required to forfeit your office or job by virtue of your plea of guilty. 7. If you are not a United States citizen or national, you may be deported by virtue of your plea of guilty. 8. You must wait 5-10 years to expunge a first offense. 2C:52-3 9. You could be put on Probation. 10. In Drug Cases, a mandatory DEDR penalty of $500-$1,000, and lose your drivers license for 6 months - 2 years. You must pay a Law Enforcement Officers Training and Equipment Fund penalty of $30. 11. You may be required to do Community Service. 12. You must pay a minimum Violent Crimes Compensation Board assessment of $50 ($100 minimum if you are convicted of a crime of violence) for each count to which you plead guilty. 13. You must pay a $75 Safe Neighborhood Services Fund assessment for each conviction. 14. If you are being sentenced to probation, you must pay a fee of up to $25 per month for the term of probation. 15. You lose the presumption against incarceration in future cases. 2C:44-1 16. You may lose your right to vote. The defense of a person charged with a criminal offense is not impossible. There are a number of viable defenses and arguments which can be pursued to achieve a successful result. Advocacy, commitment, and persistence are essential to defending a client accused of a criminal offense. Jail for Crimes and Disorderly Conduct: If someone pleads Guilty or is found Guilty of a criminal offense, the following is the statutory Prison/Jail terms. NJSA 2C: 43-8 (1) In the case of a crime of the first degree, for a specific term of years which shall be fixed by the court and shall be between 10 years and 20 years; (2) In the case of a crime of the second degree, for a specific term of years which shall be fixed by the court and shall be between five years and 10 years; (3) In the case of a crime of the third degree, for a specific term of years which shall be fixed by the court and shall be between three years and five years; (4) In the case of a crime of the fourth degree, for a specific term which shall be fixed by the court and shall not exceed 18 months. 2C:43-3 Fines have been increased recently! 2C:43-3. Fines and Restitutions. A person who has been convicted of an offense may be sentenced to pay a fine, to make restitution, or both, such fine not to exceed: a. (1) $200,000.00 when the conviction is of a crime of the first degree; (2) $150,000.00 when the conviction is of a crime of the second degree; b. (1) $15,000.00 when the conviction is of a crime of the third degree; (2) $10,000.00 when the conviction is of a crime of the fourth degree; c. $1,000.00, when the conviction is of a disorderly persons offense; d. $500.00, when the conviction is of a petty disorderly persons offense; |
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