By: Richard L. Smith
Burlington County officials reported that a 23-year-old Burlington Township man pleaded guilty to starting a fire at a Pemberton Borough apartment in the spring of 2022 that killed a 22-year-old resident of the complex.
Under an agreement with the Prosecutor’s Office, Newlin Evans IV entered the plea in Superior Court in Mount Holly to Aggravated Manslaughter (First Degree) in exchange for a 22-year sentence in state prison, of which 85 percent must be served before he becomes eligible for parole.
The Hon. Terrence R. Cook, P.J.Cr., scheduled sentencing for March 24.
The investigation began after emergency officials were dispatched to a fire at the Tara Hall Apartment Complex in the first block of Egbert Street during the early morning hours of April 20, 2022.
The investigation revealed that Evans cut the screen of a ground-floor apartment, broke the window, and threw material soaked in gasoline that he had lit on fire into the unit.
The blaze killed 22-year-old Camryn Powell.
Evans, who suffered burns, fled the scene and ultimately was transported to Jefferson Hospital in Philadelphia for treatment.
The investigation resulted in charges being filed against Evans, and he was arrested upon being discharged from Jefferson in May.
He has been lodged in the Burlington County Jail since being apprehended.
Evans is being prosecuted by Assistant Prosecutor Andrew McDonnell, supervisor of the BCPO Financial Crimes Unit.