MERCER COUNTY, N.J. (TCN) — A 27-year-old man faces life in prison for starting a fire that killed four people, including a baby and her grandparents.
The Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office announced March 6 that a jury convicted Michael Sanders of four counts of first-degree murder, four counts of first-degree felony murder, four counts of second-degree aggravated assault, two counts of second-degree aggravated arson, and one count of second-degree causing or risking widespread injury or damage. Sanders faces four life sentences at his sentencing, which is set for April 25.
According to prosecutors, on July 9, 2021, at around 3:40 a.m., a house at 213 Woodlawn Ave. caught fire. The flames spread quickly, engulfing both sides of a duplex and causing the roof to partially cave in. Authorities found 9-month-old Malani Sanders and her 42-year-old grandmother, Tiffany Abrams-Jones, deceased at the scene. The prosecutor’s office said three other people were transported to a hospital in critical condition. Two of the victims, including the infant’s grandfather, 50-year-old Prince Jones, and 18-year-old Zamair McRae, later died from their injuries.
Investigators obtained video surveillance from the area and learned Sanders had “made recent threats to the occupants” of the residence. Sanders reportedly took a taxi from his home and arrived just one block away from the crime scene shortly after 3 a.m. while wearing a dark-colored hoodie, mask, and gloves.
Authorities also determined Sanders had purchased a torch lighter and cigars from a store near the home. During the transaction, prosecutors said Sanders removed his mask. He then left the store and walked toward the address on Woodlawn Avenue. Further investigation revealed Sanders intentionally set the porch on ablaze, causing the flames to spread and create “the biggest fire in Hamilton Township recent history.”
In a statement, prosecutor Janetta Marbrey said, “This was a massive undertaking, and to say it was a job well done at every stage doesn’t begin to describe the effort each of these professionals brought to the case.”