Man Charged With Murder, Setting Car on Fire in South Jersey

A Camden man has been charged in connection with a murder that took place in the city in 2012, Camden County Prosecutor Mary Eva Colalillo and Camden Police Chief Scott Thomson said Friday morning.

Paul Russell, 35, of Camden, was arraigned on a first-degree murder charge in the death of Joram R. Wise. He is also charged with aggravated arson, possession of a weapon for unlawful purpose, unlawful possession of a weapon and certain persons not to have weapons.

He is being held at the Camden County Jail with bail set at $1 million full cash.

He allegedly shot the 25-year-old Wise in the area of the Crestbury Apartments on the night of Jan. 10, 2012. He then allegedly set a car believed to be used in the crime on fire.

Police responded to the area at about 9:47 p.m. in reference to 911 call regarding shots fired in the unit block of Hemlock Walk. Officers arrived and located Wise suffering from a gunshot wound.