STATE v. SKINNER

A-57/58 September Term 2012, 071764

95 A.3d 236 (2014)

218 N.J. 496

STATE of New Jersey, Plaintiff-Appellant and Cross-Respondent, v. Vonte L. SKINNER, Defendant-Respondent and Cross-Appellant.

Supreme Court of New Jersey.

Decided August 4, 2014.


Attorney(s) appearing for the Case

Jennifer B. Paszkiewicz , Assistant Prosecutor, argued the cause for appellant and cross-respondent ( Robert D. Bernardi , Burlington County Prosecutor, attorney).

Jason A. Coe , Deputy Public Defender, argued the cause for respondent and cross-appellant ( Joseph E. Krakora , Public Defender, attorney; Karen E. Truncale , Assistant Deputy Public Defender, on the briefs).

Joseph A. Glyn , Deputy Attorney General, argued the cause for amicus curiae Attorney General of New Jersey ( John J. Hoffman , Acting Attorney General, attorney).

Ezra D. Rosenberg argued the cause for amicus curiae American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey Foundation ( Edward L. Barocas and Dechert, attorneys; Mr. Rosenberg , Mr. Barocas , Jeanne LoCicero , and Alexander R. Shalom , of counsel; Mr. Rosenberg , Mr. Barocas , Ms. LoCicero , Mr. Shalom , Michelle Hart Yeary , and Cara J. Schmidt , a member of the New York bar, on the brief).


Justice LaVECCHIA delivered the opinion of the Court.

In the criminal trial of defendant, Vonte Skinner, on attempted murder and related charges, a State's witness was permitted to read to the jury, at great length, violent and profane rap lyrics that had been written by defendant before the events at issue. There was no assertion at trial that the violence-laden verses were in any way revealing of some specific factual connection that strongly tied defendant to the...

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