WASHINGTON — The Montgomery County teen who pleaded guilty to two charges of vehicular manslaughter will ask a judge to allow him to begin serving prison time Friday afternoon, WTOP has learned.
Michael McAuliffe, the attorney for Samuel Ellis, says his client will ask Circuit Court Judge Robert Greenberg to let him begin serving time in prison immediately, ahead of his June 6 sentencing date.
A bond revocation hearing is on the court docket for 1:30 p.m.
Ellis, 19, pleaded guilty April 8. He was 18 at the time of the North Potomac crash that killed 18-year-old passengers Calvin Li and Alexander Murk last June. The three friends had just graduated from Wootton High School in Rockville.
Ellis and a 17-year-old passenger were injured in the crash. Ellis faces up to 10 years for each of the manslaughter convictions.
McAuliffe would not describe why his client wanted to begin his prison time early. Prosecutors say they won’t object to Ellis starting his sentence Friday.
“If Mr. Ellis and his defense counsel believe this is what’s best for him then by all means let’s begin the road to healing for everyone — the sooner the better,” said Ramon Korionoff, spokesman for Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s Office.
“But as for the length of time he should, serve we will rely on the bench to exercise its prerogative at the sentencing hearing slated for June.”
The fatal crash was the result of a party at which underage drinking had been allowed. The host of the party was fined, which at the time was the maximum penalty. The incident inspired “Alex and Calvin’s Law,” which would prescribe jail time for such hosts.
The bill passed the Maryland General Assembly last month. Gov. Larry Hogan has not yet reviewed the bill, his office said Friday.
