A Lancaster man was recently sentenced to life plus 4 to 10 years in prison after being convicted of second-degree murder, arson endangering other persons, and robbery of a motor vehicle.

Javen T. Jackson, 24, was found guilty of setting a fire to a New Holland apartment complex before attempting to steal a man’s vehicle in Terre Hill. Jackson ultimately caused that man’s death by accelerating and stopping the vehicle to shake the victim off when the victim was grabbing onto the side of the car, the jury decided after a three-day trial in October.

Lancaster County Judge Dennis Reinaker ordered sentence on December 20 and said the incident was “a tragic circumstance for everyone involved.”

Judge Reinaker stated he didn’t think this was the outcome the defendant envisioned, but there were still repercussions to his actions.

Assistant District Attorney Christopher Miller prosecuted the case and mentioned that the defendant could have rendered aid to the victim but did not. ADA Miller also brought up the fact victims testified during trial about waking up to smoke in their apartment and having to take young children to safety due to the arson.

Jackson was charged by Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Kory Wardrop on December 3, 2019. The arson took place on the late night and early morning of November 9 and 10, 2019; the homicide and robbery/carjacking occurred on November 11, 2019.

The 59-year-old victim died three days later with an autopsy revealing the cause to be multiple traumatic injuries and manner to be homicide. Evidence presented during trial showed the fatal injury to be a fractured skull.

MEDIA CONTACT: Sean McBryan, semcbryan@co.lancaster.pa.us; Twitter: @SeanMcBryanLanc.