Florida woman accused of killing husband in hospital reaches plea deal

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Updated  December 31, 2024 8:50pm EST
FOX 35 Orlando
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Plea deal for woman accused of killing husband in hospital

Ellen Gilland, a Florida woman accused of killing her terminally ill husband in a Volusia County hospital, will not stand trial after agreeing to a plea deal.

The Brief

    • Ellen Gilland, accused of killing her terminally ill husband in a Volusia County hospital, reached a plea deal.
    • She entered a no-contest plea, waiving her right to a trial, and faces charges of assisting self-murder and aggravated assault.
    • The state agreed to cap her sentence at 10 years, with sentencing set for February 28.

DELAND, Fla, - Ellen Gilland, a Florida woman accused of killing her terminally ill husband in a Volusia County hospital, will not stand trial after agreeing to a plea deal.

In a brief courtroom appearance, Gilland withdrew her not guilty plea and entered a no-contest plea, waiving her right to a jury trial scheduled for Monday. Investigators say Gilland shot her husband in January 2023 as part of a planned double suicide. However, after the shooting, a hospital lockdown prevented her from carrying out the second part of the plan.

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Initially charged with first-degree murder, Gilland now faces charges of assisting self-murder and aggravated assault. The state agreed to a plea stipulation, waiving the mandatory three-year minimum sentence and capping her prison time at 10 years. 

Sentencing is scheduled for Feb. 28 at 9 a.m.

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