STATE OF NEW JERSEY VS. RODNEY CULLEN A-5474-10T1

 STATE OF NEW JERSEY VS. RODNEY CULLEN
          A-5474-10T1

After defendant waived his right to testify and rested, but before summations and before the occurrence of any other substantive event during this criminal trial, defendant changed his mind and sought a reopening of the record so he might testify. The trial judge denied the application and defendant was convicted. The court reversed and remanded for a new trial, finding any delay caused by defendant's change of course was outweighed by his constitutional right to testify.