Ellen Gilland: Florida woman sentenced in mercy killing of terminally ill husband
Ellen Gilland sentenced in mercy killing of husband
A Florida woman was sentenced Friday for the 2023 deadly shooting of her terminally ill husband in a Daytona Beach hospital room. Florida law does not allow assisted dying, sparking debate over end-of-life choices.
VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. - A Florida woman was sentenced Friday for the 2023 deadly shooting of her terminally ill husband in a Daytona Beach hospital room. Florida law does not allow assisted dying, sparking debate over end-of-life choices.
Ellen Gilland, 78, has been sentenced to about a year in prison followed by 12 years of probation. The judge also determined she will need to write letters of apology to the victims involved, complete eight community service hours a month for as long as she is physically able to once she is released from prison and complete a mental health evaluation.
Ellen Gilland sentenced for killing terminally ill husband
A Volusia County judge handed down the sentence for Ellen Gilland, the 78-year-old woman who pleaded no contest to killing her terminally ill husband in what was meant to be a murder-suicide.
In the sentencing, the judge stated the decision is for the other victims affected in the incident, which include nurses, police officers, patients on the same floor and their families.
Original story
What we know:
Gilland is facing sentencing for allegedly shooting and killing her 77-year-old husband, Jerry, in a hospital bed at AdventHealth Daytona Beach in January 2023.
Court documents indicate the couple had agreed to a murder-suicide plan, but Gilland did not follow through on taking her own life. Instead, she ended up in a standoff with police before being taken into custody.
Ellen Giland appears in a Volusua County courtroom.
She later pleaded no contest to charges of assisting self-murder/manslaughter, aggravated assault, and aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer.
Judge Kathryn Weston of the 7th Circuit Court is expected to sentence Gilland at 9 a.m.
What we don't know:
It remains unclear whether Gilland’s sentencing will result in a lengthy prison term, a reduced sentence, or potential leniency due to her age and circumstances. Additionally, it is unknown if this case will influence future discussions on end-of-life laws in Florida.
The backstory:
Gilland's husband was suffering from a terminal illness, and according to court records, the couple had agreed on a tragic plan for him to die by her hand.
Florida law does not allow medically assisted suicide, meaning her actions were legally classified as a crime despite her claim that she acted out of love and compassion. Her case has sparked a broader debate about end-of-life choices and whether Florida should reconsider its stance on medically assisted dying.
Big picture view:
Gilland’s case highlights the ongoing debate over assisted dying laws in Florida. Some see her actions as an act of love, but others argue that allowing assisted suicide could have significant legal and ethical ramifications. Advocates for end-of-life options hope this case will prompt lawmakers to reconsider current legislation.
STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 35 ORLANDO:
- Download the FOX Local app for breaking news alerts, the latest news headlines
- Download the FOX 35 Storm Team Weather app for weather alerts & radar
- Sign up for FOX 35's daily newsletter for the latest morning headlines
- FOX Local: Stream FOX 35 newscasts, FOX 35 News+, Central Florida Eats on your smart TV
The Source: This story was written based on information shared by the Seventh Judicial Circuit of Florida and the Volusia County Sheriff's Office.