William E. Nugent
William E. Nugent is a former judge of the New Jersey Superior Court, Appellate Division. He was appointed in September 2010 by Chief Justice Stuart Rabner. Nugent took office on October 4, 2010 and retired from the court effective June 23, 2020.[1][2]
Education
Nugent received his undergraduate degree from Notre Dame University and his J.D. from Villanova University School of Law.[1]
Career
Nugent has spent his legal career in both the private and public sectors. After receiving his law degree, he became an assistant district attorney for the Philadelphia District Attorney's Office. From there, he went into private practice. However, he also served as the municipal solicitor in Northfield from 1995 to 2000, the zoning board solicitor from 1992 to 1994 and county counsel for Atlantic County from 2000 to 2003. In 2003, he was appointed to the New Jersey Vicinage 1 by the governor. He served in this capacity until joining the Appellate Division of the Superior Court in 2010.[3]
Noteworthy cases
Appeals court denies appeal from inmate convicted of kidnapping and murder (2015)
In 1994, Sandra McKnight was unloading groceries from her car when three men approached, forced her into the car and drove off. The men later stole another car, deciding to get rid of McKnight's car. They drove to an isolated place and shot her in the back of the head once, killing her. She was found later still in the car. Alonzo Hill was arrested after one of the other men with him that night told police he was involved in McKnight's murder. Hill was arrested, charged, tried and convicted of carjacking, kidnapping and murder; he received four consecutive life sentences. Hill appealed his conviction, claiming he received ineffective assistance of counsel at trial and during his appeal of right.
Two judges of the New Jersey Superior Court, Appellate Division, William E. Nugent and Allison E. Accurso, weighed in on March 31, 2015, finding that Hill has no right to relief. The court found that Hill had not shown any proof of errors by the trial court or his attorney. In essence, the court found Hill received a fair trial. Further, Hill claimed that his attorney failed to conduct a proper investigation or call certain witnesses at trial. The appellate court did not agree, finding that there was no proof that his trial counsel failed to investigate as required by law, or that the presentation of more or different witnesses would have made a difference in the outcome.
Hill must serve 105 years before he is eligible for parole.
Articles:
See also
External links
Footnotes
Federal courts:
Third Circuit Court of Appeals • U.S. District Court: District of New Jersey • U.S. Bankruptcy Court: District of New Jersey
State courts:
New Jersey Supreme Court • New Jersey Superior Court, Appellate Division • New Jersey Superior Courts • New Jersey Municipal Courts • New Jersey Tax Court
State resources:
Courts in New Jersey • New Jersey judicial elections • Judicial selection in New Jersey
