NJ Arsonist That Killed His Baby, 3 Adults In House Fire Convicted

MERCER COUNTY, NJ – A Trenton man was convicted earlier this week by a Mercer County jury for setting the July 9, 2021 fire in Hamilton Township that killed his nine-month-old daughter and three adults, County Prosecutor Janetta D. Marbrey.

On Tuesday, Michael Sanders, 27, was convicted on all counts of the indictment, including 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.

On July 9, 2021, around 3:40 a.m., a fire started at 213 Woodlawn Avenue that quickly engulfed both sides of the two and a half story, wood frame duplex, causing a partial roof collapse.

The nine-month-old baby girl, Malani Sanders, and her 42-year-old grandmother Tiffany Abrams-Jones, were found dead at the scene, authorities said. Three people were taken to the hospital with critical burn injuries. The baby’s grandfather, 50-year-old Prince Jones, succumbed to his injuries on July 11, 2021, and Zamair McRae, 18, died a few weeks later.

According to evidence and testimony presented at trial, the fire was intentionally set on the porch of 213 Woodlawn Avenue, causing the biggest fire in Hamilton Township recent history, Marbrey said.

Sanders will face four life sentences when he is sentenced on April 25, 2025, including one life sentence without the possibility of parole due to the age of the youngest victim, according to officials.

During the investigation, detectives were able to retrieve video from several cameras in the area and speak to witnesses. They learned that Sanders had made threats to the residents of 213 Woodlawn Avenue. According to investigation, Sanders took a taxi from an area near his residence in Trenton and was dropped off around one block from 213 Woodlawn Avenue shortly after 3 a.m. Sanders, wearing a dark colored hooded sweatshirt with the hood over his head, a mask and gloves, walked past the house toward Greenwood Avenue around 15 minutes before the fire started, authorities said.

Detectives also obtained surveillance footage from the Fast Trac Gas Station on Greenwood Avenue from July 9, approximately 10 minutes before the fire, which showed Sanders making a purchase of a dark colored torch lighter and cigars, authorities said. During this purchase, he removed the mask covering his face.

Sanders left the store and was seen walking in the direction of number 213. Approximately four minutes after Sanders passed that camera, the reflection of light from the fire at 213 Woodlawn Avenue could be seen on the video, according to the investigation.

Video also captures Sanders walking back home on Bayard Street in Trenton. He was no longer wearing a mask, gloves or the dark hooded sweatshirt. When detectives canvassed that area and found a dark hooded sweatshirt a few doors down from Sanders’ residence, in the bottom of a basement stairway.

According to authorities, a witness told detectives that on the night leading up to the fire, the baby’s mother received a text from Sanders, telling her to get their child out of the house.

The investigation was conducted by the Mercer County Homicide Task Force, the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Arson Unit and the Hamilton Police Division.

Marbrey praised everyone involved in the case for their work in bringing surviving family members justice.

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