State of New Jersey, Plaintiff-Respondent v. Duquene Pierre, Defendant-Appellant

Summary

The Court held that defendant was denied effective assistance of counsel because trial counsel failed to investigate and present readily available evidence corroborating defendant's alibi. Counsel's errors satisfied both the deficient-performance and prejudice requirements because the State's evidence linking defendant to the shooting was limited and the additional alibi evidence could reasonably have altered the verdict. The Court reversed, vacated the conviction, and remanded for a new trial.