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Willingboro Man Sentenced To Life In Prison With No Chance for Parole In 2019 Murder Case

The investigation began after police were called to the first block of Medley Lane on March 7, 2019 for a report of a female in a parked car with an apparent gunshot wound.

Marvin A. Coleman

On June 9, 2023, Burlington County Prosecutor LaChia L. Bradshaw announced that a Willingboro Township man was sentenced in Superior Court to life in prison without the chance of parole for the fatal shooting of a 21-year-old woman four years ago while she was sitting in her car in the Millbrook Park section of Willingboro Township.

The sentence was handed down in Mount Holly by the Hon. Gerard H. Breland, J.S.C., to Marvin A. Coleman Jr., 25.

Coleman was convicted in March 2023 on charges of Felony Murder (First Degree), Murder (First Degree), Robbery (First Degree), Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose (Second Degree) and Unlawful Possession of a Weapon (Second Degree).

“We are committed to bringing those who terrorize our citizens to justice,” Prosecutor Bradshaw said. “Today, a punishment worthy of this senseless killing was imposed. This defendant will have the rest of his time on earth to consider the life he took and the lives he ruined by doing so. Our deepest sympathy is extended to the family members and friends of the victim.”

The investigation began after police were called to the first block of Medley Lane just before 8:30 a.m. on March 7, 2019, for a report of a female in a parked car with an apparent gunshot wound. Arriving officers found Maribely Lopez of Lindenwold in the driver’s seat of her Ford Focus with the engine still running. The investigation determined the shooting occurred at approximately 11 p.m. the night before.

The investigation further revealed that Coleman had made arrangements on March 6 through the marketplace app OfferUp to purchase a used cell phone from Lopez. They agreed that Lopez would meet Coleman in front of a house on Medley Lane, which is a short walk through a field from the defendant’s residence on Marlboro Lane.

But instead of buying the phone, Coleman executed Lopez by firing a shot through the partially opened driver’s side window. The phone that was advertised for sale was discovered by investigators inside of the car.

An autopsy performed by Burlington County Medical Examiner Dr. Ian Hood revealed that Lopez died from a single gunshot to the head.

Coleman was prosecuted by Assistant Prosecutor Bob Van Gilst, supervisor of the BPCO Major Crimes Unit, and Assistant Prosecutor Rachel Conte. The investigation was conducted by the Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office and the Willingboro Township Police Department. The lead investigators were BCPO Det. Sergeant Tony Luyber, BCPO Det. Sergeant Tim Horne and WTPD Det. Sergeant Jason Galiazzi.

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