MARTINSVILLE – After a four-hour sentencing hearing on Wednesday, August 21, John E. Elliott has been spared jail time for the July 2022 death of his wife, Stephanie Elliott.
John was driving a pickup truck southbound on Ind. 67 when he ran off the road just south of Martinsville and hit a tree. His wife died at the scene while he survived. He was charged with causing death when operating a vehicle with a scheduled I or II controlled substance in the blood, a level 4 felony, and reckless homicide, a level 5 felony.
Two years later, John Elliott agreed to plead guilty to the reckless homicide charge, and the state dismissed the controlled substance charge. Under the plea, he was sentenced to a maximum of three years, with the judge deciding how long he will serve and where.
The judge suspended the three-year sentence, giving John one year of home detention and two years of probation.
According to the police, the Elliotts were traveling at around 88 miles per hour when the crash occurred, and blood tests revealed alcohol, marijuana, and cocaine in John’s system. Stephanie had no trace of drugs or alcohol in her system. John told investigators that he and his wife had been using marijuana together.
Because Stephanie was the current Morgan County Clerk, a special judge from Hendricks County was appointed to hear the case. Because she is related to the Morgan County Prosecutor by marriage and has worked with the county prosecutor’s office, a special prosecutor was appointed to represent the state.
During the sentencing hearing, several people spoke on John’s behalf, with some pushing for no jail time and lauding his positive community contributions and reputation. The judge ultimately decided on home detention and probation instead of prison time.
