Trenton Man Convicted In July 2021 Fire That Killed Four, Including Infant Girl
Friday, March 7, 2025, 8:45 A.M. ET. 4 Minute Read, By Art Fletcher: Englebrook Independent News,
TRENTON, NJ.- A 27-year-old Trenton, New Jersey, man will most likely be spending the rest of his life in New Jersey State Prison after being convicted earlier this week by a Mercer County jury in connection with setting a fire on July 9, 2021, at a Hamilton Township home that killed four, including a nine-month-old girl and left another four individuals injured.
According to Mercer County Prosecutor Janetta D. Marbrey, on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, following a trial in Mercer County Superior Court, a jury found Michael Sanders, 27, of Trenton, New Jersey, guilty on all counts in the indictment charging Sanders with 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.
The conviction stems from an investigation that began on July 9, 2021, when, at approximately 3:40 a.m., a fire erupted at 213 Woodlawn Avenue in Hamilton Township that quickly engulfed both sides of a two-and-a-half story, wood-frame duplex residential structure, causing a partial roof collapse.
Firefighters Find Baby Girl And Grandmother Dead
During fire suppression, a nine-month-old baby girl, identified as Mallani Sanders, and her 42-year-old grandmother, identified as Tiffany Abrams-Jones, were found deceased inside the home. Three other individuals were immediately transported to a nearby hospital with critical injuries they sustained in the fire. The baby’s grandfather, 50-year-old Prince Jones, succumbed to his injuries on July 11, 2021, and Zamair McRae, 18, was pronounced deceased at the hospital a few weeks later.
Detectives Identify Sanders From Threats And Video Surveillance
During the ensuing investigation, Detectives were able to uncover video surveillance footage from numerous cameras in the area and speak with multiple witnesses. During the course of the investigation, Detectives learned that Sanders had made recent threats to the occupants of the home. Detectives uncovered that Sanders had taken a taxi from an area near his home in the City of Trenton and was dropped off around one block from the Woodlawn Avenue home shortly after 3:00 a.m.
Sanders, wearing a dark-colored hooded sweatshirt, was captured by video surveillance walking past the residence with the hood over his head, a mask, and gloves toward Greenwood Avenue around 15 minutes before the fire erupted.
Detectives were also able to obtain surveillance video from the Fast Trac Gas Station on Greenwood Avenue on July 9th, 10 minutes before the fire, which revealed Sanders purchasing a dark-colored torch lighter and cigars. During the purchase, Sanders removed his mask covering his face. Sanders was observed leaving the store and walking on Woodlawn Avenue back toward the home. Around four minutes after Sanders passed that camera, the reflection of light from the fire at 213 Woodlawn Avenue could be seen on the video.
Additional video captured Sanders walking to his residence on Bayard Street in the City of Trenton. When he arrived on Bayard Street, he was no longer wearing the mask and gloves. Additionally, he was no longer wearing the dark hooded sweatshirt. After reviewing this video, Detectives canvassed the surrounding area and recovered the sweatshirt a few doors down from Sanders’ residence at the bottom of a basement stairway.
During the trial, evidence was presented that revealed that the fire was intentionally set on the porch of the Woodlawn Avenue home, which caused the biggest fire in Hamilton Township’s recent history.
Prosecutor Marbrey Commends Detectives And Prosecutors
“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,” Prosecutor Marbrey said. “I’d also like to recognize recently retired Captain of Detectives Gary Wasko, whose expert arson testimony played a significant role in the conviction.”
Prosecutor Marbrey praised everyone involved in the case, including the prosecuting attorneys, lead investigator Jennifer Eyster of the Mercer County Homicide Task Force, trial Detectives Elijah Phillips and Zachary Ortman, arson investigators Michael Smith and Anthony Sturchio, and Victim Advocate Paula Pulgar for their tireless work bringing surviving family members some measure of justice in this terrible crime.
Sanders has been scheduled to be sentenced on April 25, 2025. At that time, he faces four life sentences, including one without the possibility of parole due to the age of the youngest victim.
