By: Najla Alexander
Authorities in Bergen County announced that on September 15, 2023, Randy Manning, formerly of Englewood, was sentenced to a term of life imprisonment in New Jersey State Prison after being convicted of murder, arson, desecration of human remains, and weapons offenses in connection with the death of Rhian Stoute in August 2011.
Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella reported that on August 15, 2011, Randy Manning shot the victim to death in a vacant house in Englewood.
Authorities say he returned to the scene several hours later, setting the victim’s body on fire.
According to officials, Manning then hid the victim’s body in an SUV, drove the SUV to Paramus, NJ, and abandoned the vehicle on a quiet residential street.
He discarded key pieces of evidence in sewers in both Paramus and Brooklyn, New York, that were subsequently discovered by law enforcement during the ensuing investigation, officials stated.
On June 7, 2023, officials said, following a six-week jury trial before the Honorable Gary N. Wilcox, J.S.C., in Bergen County Superior Court, a jury convicted Randy Manning of nine charges in relation to the murder of Stoute:
-Murder
-Possession of a firearm for an unlawful purpose
-Unlawful possession of a firearm, desecration of human remains
-Unlawful moving of human remains
-Arson
-Hindering apprehension by destroying or concealing evidence
-Hindering apprehension by giving false information to law enforcement
-Unlawful taking of a means of conveyance
On September 15, 2023, officials say the Honorable Gary N. Wilcox, J.S.C., sentenced Randy Manning to a term of life imprisonment in New Jersey State Prison, subject to the No Early Release Act, for his crimes.
