Husband charged with murder in fatal PWC fire

By Staff Reports

Published: November 19, 2008

WOODBRIDGE — Police have charged a Woodbridge man with felony murder and arson in the death of his wife after a fatal house fire Monday.

Mario Jennings Jr., 36, of 15281 Valley Stream Way in the Rippon Landing area of Woodbridge, 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.