State v. Jamil McKinney (A-74/75-13; 073070)
State v. Al-Tariq Wardrick (A-76-13; 073078)
The trial court’s references to second-degree robbery in the course of the jury instructions were erroneous. Its subsequent efforts to cure the error were confusing and ineffective. Thus, the instruction constituted reversible error. The judgment of the Appellate Division in State v. Wardrick is reversed as to his conviction for first-degree robbery, and the matter is remanded to the trial court for proceedings consistent with this opinion. The judgment is affirmed in all other respects. The judgment of the Appellate Division in State v. McKinney is affirmed.
