Husband charged with murder in fatal fire
Published: November 19, 2008
Updated: November 19, 2008
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Police have charged a Woodbridge man with felony murder and arson in the death of his wife in a Monday house fire.
Mario Jennings Jr., 36, of 15281 Valley Stream Way in the Rippon Landing, was arrested on Tuesday, police said. He was being held without bond at the Prince William-Manassas regional jail.
Police said Jennings and his wife, Graciela Letizia Marandino, 31, were involved in a physical altercation early Monday and “she became unconscious.”
Jennings is charged with setting fires in two separate locations in the townhouse while his wife lay injured, Prince William County police spokeswoman Erika Hernandez said in a released statement.
Police said Marandino died of smoke inhalation in the resulting blaze.
Jennings suffered burns in the fire, but was treated at the hospital and released.
A man who lives next door to the couple said he heard a man screaming for help during the fire, but never heard a woman scream.
Neighbors said Marandino was studying to become a veterinarian and worked at a vet’s office in Springfield.
If convicted, Jennings faces a maximum of life plus 40 years in prison on the two charges.
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Reader Reactions
Yes I believe that the police did follow protocall, do I think they should have taken this more seriously… yes, He has previous charges for Domestic Abuse, they should have known that things were not fine. Blame is not on the police, it is on Mr.Jennings.
What is wrong with people? Just crazy.
What I would like to know is why the police did nothing to stop this awful loss of life. I was listening to the police and fire scanner that night this happend. The police were at the scene 30 minutes before the fire for a domestic dispute call. This has not come out in any of the media reports yet. Why is this being kept a secret? Did the police do everything the were supposed to? or Did they just leave the house thinking everything would be fine?
Finally Justice! My heart goes out to all familys involved especially his daughter,Sad to say this was not the first domestic charge on Mr.Jennings,but with Justice it will be the last! What a huge loss for so many people. She will be missed by many, and remembered always. Now comes the aftermath of all of this, his daughter is left with one parent and his daughter lost her bestfriend!
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