A new trial has been ordered for a New Jersey man sentenced to six decades in prison in the stabbing death of his girlfriend more than a decade ago.

Anthony James was convicted of murder and weapons counts in the September 2011 slaying of 48-year-old Audrey Tanksley, who authorities said was stabbed 94 times in their Plainfield home.

James had asserted that Tanksley was the aggressor.

An appeals court Thursday overturned the conviction and ordered a new trial, saying a Union County prosecutor misstated New Jersey’s law on self-defense and the trial judge compounded the error while instructing jurors. County prosecutors declined comment.