By: Richard L. Smith
Rollie Ellis, 33, a resident of Pleasantville, saw her legal journey culminate on Thursday, August 24, as she was sentenced to a term of 13 and a half years in the confines of New Jersey State Prison under the stipulations of the No Early Release Act.
This ruling followed a plea agreement wherein Ellis entered a guilty plea for aggravated manslaughter. The Honorable Bernard E. DeLury, Jr., P.J.Cr, oversaw the sentencing proceedings.
The trajectory leading to this verdict had its roots in January 2020 when Ellis initially pleaded guilty to aggravated manslaughter. In February of the same year, she was handed a 20-year prison term.
However, this sentence underwent reconsideration and was subsequently overturned following an appeal. The appellate court ruled that her Miranda rights were compromised, necessitating a reevaluation of the case.
On April 11, 2018, the Atlantic City Police were summoned to the scene where Jennifer Rodriguez was discovered unresponsive, bearing a wound to the back of her neck, in the lobby of the Public Safety Building.
Jennifer Rodriguez was then transported to AtlantiCare City Campus, where she was regrettably declared deceased.
Subsequent investigations led the authorities to conclude that Rollie Ellis was responsible for the stabbing of both Raphy and Jennifer Rodriguez within their Atlantic City apartment.
The police's interaction with Ellis, during which Officer Mitchell from the Atlantic City Police Department observed a knife in Ellis' waistband, resulted in the weapon's securement.
Raphy Rodriguez subsequently identified Ellis as the individual responsible for the assaults.
The sentencing marks a significant point in the legal proceedings, bringing a measure of closure to this tragic case.