A Somerset County inmate is appealing his death sentence, alleging jury misconduct and insufficient evidence in his trial for the 2018 murder of a prison guard. Paul Kendrick’s defense team filed a motion this week seeking a new trial, or a new penalty phase. The motion claims that the jury that sentenced Kendrick to death was “contaminated,” citing an anonymous letter that reported jurors discussing the case in a bar, and another juror speaking to a biased police officer. The defense also asserts that Kendrick did not have the intent required for a first-degree murder conviction because no “ordinary” weapon was used in the killing of Sergeant Mark Baserman.
Tuesday 17th February 2026
