State v. Interest of M.N

In State v. Interest of M.N., 267 N.J. Super. 482, 631 A.2d 1267 (App.Div.1993), the Court held that lighting a match that was discarded without any intent to start a fire was not purposely starting a fire under the arson statute even if the match thereafter caused the fire. Id. at 490, 631 A.2d 1267. The judge attempted to distinguish M.N. on the ground that in addition to igniting the lighter, M.C. used it to light the aerosol spray. But in the context of arson that is a distinction without a difference. The point of M.N. is that the accused must purposely start the fire, not merely ignite something capable of causing the fire.