Life In Prison For PA Arsonist Who Killed Man Clinging To His Own Vehicle

A convicted arsonist and killer in Lancaster County will spend the rest of his days in prison for a crime spree that ended with a man's death three years ago, a judge has ruled.

Javen Jackson, 24, will spend the rest of his life in prison for a two-day crime spree in 2019 that included arson and murder.
Photo Credit: *Lancaster County District Attorney's Office*

Mac Bullock

12/29/2022 11:15 a.m.

Javen T. Jackson, 24, was sentenced to life plus four-to-10 years at a hearing on Dec. 20, said county District Attorney Heather Adams in a statement.

At his trial in October, prosecutors said Jackson set fire to a New Holland apartment building on Nov. 10, 2019. Jurors heard from building residents who described waking up to find their apartments filled with smoke and rushing to safety with their young children, the DA said.

The next day, on Nov. 11, prosecutors said Jackson tried to steal a Terre Hill man's car. When the victim clung to the side of the vehicle, investigators said the 24-year-old accelerated and stopped the vehicle over and over to "shake" him off.

The man, 59, was thrown from the car and died three days later from multiple traumatic injuries, including a skull fracture, jurors were told.

At sentencing, Lancaster County Judge Dennis Reinaker called Jackson's spree "a tragic circumstance for everyone involved.”

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