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Newark man sentenced to more than two decades in prison for death of woman who jumped on his car hood in Irvington
Lando Mark, 34, of Newark was sentenced to over 20 years in prison after being found guilty of first-degree aggravated manslaughter in the 2021 death of Jenny Philiston in Irvington. Prosecutors say the case began as domestic violence when Philiston jumped onto the hood of Mark's car to stop him from leaving, and he sped off, ran a stop sign and crashed into a parked car, killing her.
A Newark man has been sentenced to more than two decades in prison for the death of a woman in Irvington, New Jersey, in a case that prosecutors say originated from an act of domestic violence. Lando Mark, 34, was found guilty of first-degree aggravated manslaughter in December following a trial that detailed the harrowing circumstances of Jenny Philiston's death in 2021. The sentencing brings a measure of closure to a case that highlighted the deadly consequences of domestic violence.
According to prosecutors, the fatal incident began when Mark attempted to drive away during a confrontation with Philiston. In a desperate attempt to prevent him from leaving, Philiston jumped onto the hood of Mark's car. Rather than stopping, Mark accelerated with the woman still clinging to the vehicle's hood, driving recklessly through the neighbourhood. He ran a stop sign before crashing into a parked car with significant force.
The impact of the collision proved fatal for Philiston, who was thrown from the hood and suffered injuries from which she could not recover. Emergency responders arrived at the scene to find a devastating crash site, with Philiston's body in the roadway near the parked vehicle. Mark was subsequently arrested and charged with her death, facing the most serious manslaughter charges available under New Jersey law.
The trial in December presented evidence including witness testimony and forensic analysis of the crash scene that painted a clear picture of Mark's reckless actions. The jury found him guilty of first-degree aggravated manslaughter, a conviction that carries one of the heaviest sentences in New Jersey's criminal code short of murder. The judge imposed a sentence of more than 20 years in state prison, reflecting the severity of the crime and the senselessness of Philiston's death.
The case has resonated within the Irvington and Newark communities as a tragic example of how domestic violence situations can escalate to fatal outcomes in moments. Advocates for domestic violence victims have pointed to Philiston's death as evidence of the need for stronger intervention programmes and greater support for individuals trapped in abusive relationships. The lengthy prison sentence sends a clear message that those who cause death through reckless acts of violence will face serious consequences under the law.