Murder Charge Filed After Inmate Dies in Burlington County, NJ, Prison Cell

Chesterfield Township, N.J. — A 22-year-old Newark man who is incarcerated at the Garden State Youth Correctional Facility in Burlington County has been charged with allegedly killing his cellmate.

Xavier Cepin has been charged with first-degree murder.

Burlington County Prosecutor LaChia Bradshaw said an investigation began on April 18th when a correctional officer found Cepin's cellmate, 28-year-old Shayne Johns of Mount Ephraim, lying on the floor of their cell during an inmate count. He was transported to Capital Health Regional Medical Center in Trenton, where he died later that day.

An autopsy performed by the Burlington County Medical Examiner's Office noted severe internal trauma to Johns' neck and throat area, and determined the death to be a homicide.

The investigation was conducted by the Burlington County Prosecutor's Office and the New Jersey Department of Corrections Special Investigation Division.

According to a report released earlier this year by the New Jersey Department of Corrections, the Garden State Youth Correctional Facility holds just over 1,000 offenders, with slightly more than half serving time for violent offenses. Nearly 80 percent of the inmate population is less than 28 years old.

The public is reminded that charges are accusations and all persons are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Chris Coleman is a South Jersey native and has been a cornerstone of the Atlantic City radio market since 1998. He serves as Brand Manager for WPG Talk Radio 95.5 and afternoon on-air personality for Cat Country 107.3. A five-time President's Circle award winner and Townsquare Media's 2024 Content Creator of the Year, Chris covers news, events, and stories of interest across Southern New Jersey. Story tips: chris.coleman@townsquaremedia.com