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crime14h ago
Woman, 79, who fatally shot terminally ill husband explains why she wouldn't change her actions
Unilad.com and 1 more
- A 79-year-old Florida woman, Ellen Gilland, was released after serving a one-year prison term for manslaughter related to her terminally ill husband's death in a Daytona Beach hospital room, with a 12-year probation period remaining.
- Authorities suggested the couple had a murder-suicide pact; Gilland initially planned to shoot herself but could not go through with it, leading to the fatal shot to her husband.
- Gilland pleaded no contest to manslaughter, aggravated assault with a firearm, and aggravated assault on law enforcement, resulting in a one-year jail term and 12 years of probation.
- During her sentence, Gilland suffered a heart attack attributed to stress and spent the remainder of her term in an infirmary.
- Since her release, Gilland has volunteered at a local animal shelter and is performing court-ordered community service while advocating for assisted suicide legalization in some capacity.
- Gilland states she does not consider herself violent and asks the public not to feel sorry for her, saying she did what she did under difficult circumstances.
- Gilland described Jerry Gilland as her best friend from middle school, emphasizing a long, close relationship before the deadly events.
- The 2023 incident occurred in a Daytona Beach hospital room after Gilland allegedly smuggled in a gun, triggering a hours-long standoff with police.
- A standoff with police followed the shooting and lasted for hours before authorities intervened with a flashbang and Gilland was taken into custody.
- Gilland's case drew attention to mental health and end-of-life decision issues, highlighting the broader societal debate about how to handle terminal illness and compassionate actions.
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