By: Yuritza Arroyo
Atlantic County authorities announced that on Thursday, June 29, Rollie Ellis, 33, of Pleasantville, pleaded guilty for a second time to first-degree aggravated manslaughter.
According to officials, her plea calls for a sentence of 13 and one-half years in New Jersey State Prison, with eighty-five percent of the term to be served before parole eligibility pursuant to the No Early Release Act.
Officials said Ellis originally pleaded guilty to aggravated manslaughter in January of 2020 and was subsequently sentenced in February of 2020 to a 20-year term of imprisonment.
That sentence was later overturned on appeal when the appellate court ruled her Miranda rights were violated.
On April 11, 2018, Atlantic City Police found Jennifer Rodriguez unresponsive and bleeding from a wound to the back of her neck in the lobby of the Public Safety Building.
According to the authorities, Rodriguez was transported to AtlantiCare City Campus where she was later pronounced dead.
Authorities stated investigating officers determined that Rollie Ellis had stabbed both Raphy and Jennifer Rodriguez inside of their apartment in Atlantic City.
When police made contact with Ellis, Officer Mitchell of the Atlantic City Police Department observed a knife in Ellis’ waistband and secured the weapon.
Raphy Rodriguez identified Ellis as the perpetrator of these attacks.
Sentencing was originally scheduled for August 10, but the State will request a postponement so that Ms. Rodriguez’s family are able to attend.