State v. Singleton, A-124 September Term 2010; Supreme Court; opinion by LaVecchia, J.; concurrence by Patterson, J.; dissent by Hoens, J.; decided July 30, 2012. On certification to the Appellate Division, 418 N.J. Super. 177 (App. Div. 2011). [Sat below: Judges Cuff, Fisher and Sapp-Peterson in the Appellate Division; Judge Richmond in the Law Division.] DDS 14-1-7203 [70 pp.]
Defendant Boyce Singleton Jr. was indicted for the murder of his pregnant girlfriend, Michelle Cazan. He did not dispute that he killed her. Rather, his defense was keyed to whether he should be found not guilty by reason of insanity. Afflicted with schizo-affective disorder, he testified that he believes that God communicates with him through messages he receives while asleep. He said he felt a general obligation to kill sinners who did not comport themselves in accordance with his beliefs about God’s expectations, once he explained those expectations to them.
