New Jersey has life without parole.  A jury decides the sentence, and the Governor has sole authority to grant clemency.     

New Jersey came close to having its first execution in 1999 since its death penalty was reinstated in 1982.  John Martini was found competent to waive the remainder of his appeals.  However, before he could be executed, Martini changed his mind and is now appealing his death sentence.

A 2002 poll found that 63% of New Jersey residents favor the death penalty for persons convicted of murder. This is a drop from the 72% who favored the death penalty when polled in 1994. Moreover, when asked to choose between the death penalty and a guaranteed "life in prison with absolutely no possibility of parole," support fell to 44%.