76-year-old woman accused of killing terminally ill husband indicted
02/22/2023 3:52 pm PST
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (TCD) -- A 76-year-old woman accused of fatally shooting her 77-year-old terminally ill husband in a planned "murder-suicide" pact last month was recently indicted.
The Dayton Beach Police Department responded to Advent Health Hospital on Jan. 21, where officers learned Ellen Gilland allegedly shot her husband and then confined herself to her husband's hospital room. Gilland and her husband, Jerry Gilland, allegedly planned the "murder-suicide" pact approximately three weeks before the shooting, and they agreed to go through with it if the husband's health declined further. However, Gilland reportedly shot her husband but didn't hold up her end of the deal.
The State Attorney's Office for Florida's 7th Circuit said Gilland also "pointed the gun at healthcare workers and law enforcement."
Authorities reportedly deployed hostage negotiators as well as a flash bang and Taser to coerce Gilland into dropping the gun. Additionally, hospital staff and patients had to safely evacuate.
Gilland was initially booked into the Volusia County Jail for first-degree murder and three counts of aggravated assault.
On Wednesday, Feb. 22, the State Attorney's Office announced Gilland was indicted on charges of assisted self-murder, aggravated assault with a firearm on a law enforcement officer, and two counts of aggravated assault with a firearm.
According to the Daytona Beach News-Journal, the assisted self-murder charge is less severe than her original first-degree murder charge and carries a possible sentence of up to 30 years.
Gilland's arraignment is reportedly scheduled for Feb. 28, and her pretrial is set for March 28.
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