NJ Court Allows Confession in 2008 Morris County Murder

In a split decision, New Jersey's Supreme Court has ruled a man's confession to a 2008 murder can be used.

Demetrius Diaz-Bridges is accused of murdering Elizabeth O'Brien in her home in Jefferson, in Morris County. He was 19 at the time and knew O'Brien's sons.

A state judge ruled that Diaz-Bridges' confession was inadmissible because he had asked to speak to his mother during questioning, and that detectives should have known that meant he wanted to assert his right to remain silent.

An appeals court later allowed part of the statement.

Thursday's ruling, by a 3-2 margin, allowed the whole statement. Chief Justice Stuart Rabner and Associate Justice Barry Albin dissented, and two justices didn't participate.

Diaz-Bridges has been jailed on $1 million bail since his arrest in 2008.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)