New Jersey Supreme Court Overturns Murder Conviction

TRENTON, N.J. (AP) -- A New Jersey man's conviction for robbing and murdering a former friend has been reversed by the state Supreme Court.

Eduardo McLaughlin was convicted of felony murder, aggravated manslaughter and robbery in the 2004 death of Thong Ming Hyunh of Pennsauken.

McLaughlin and the victim had known each since grade school. Prosecutors said McLaughlin devised a plan to rob Hyunh, who worked for a check-cashing business. He was convicted of the robbery and of killing Hyunh, whose body was dumped in Camden.

The court ruled Thursday that testimony from an accomplice's girlfriend shouldn't have been allowed at McLaughlin's trial.

Jessica Pabon had testified that McLaughlin and another man were planning the robbery.

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